During the first decade of the twenty-first century, schools and communities find themselves struggling with concerns of youth violence, child poverty, and race relations in an economy mired in recession. In Schooling for Life, esteemed community educator Dale E. Shuttleworth brings his rich experiences as a teacher, principal, school superintendant, policy writer, community development worker, social entrepreneur, and university course director to a discussion of public education and its role in the communities that it serves.

In an historic overview of how and why public schooling has changed since 1965, Schooling for Life traces a series of demonstration projects which have influenced policy development and innovative practice in such fields as inner city education, multi-cultural and race relations, adult education, economic development, and skill training. This timely work represents a blueprint for community education and development as society faces the challenges of social, economic, and political renewal.