This book examines the changes in educational policy in the U.S. and Britain over the last twenty-five years. Hursh argues that education in the States and Britain has been radically transformed, first through efforts to create curricular standards, more recently through an emphasis on accountability measured by standardized tests, and currently, efforts to introduce market competition and private services into educational systems. Hursh offers an alternative to the neoliberal conception of society and education complete with examples of parents who reject the current emphasis on individual success and schools that promote civic-mindedness.

"Part of what makes this book accessible is that Hursh roots much of his discussion in his own experiences as a working class youth and as a teacher in progressive schools. Avoiding jargon, he has assembled a rich array of evidence of the economic and social effects of neoliberalism, focusing on its consequences for education. He also details the many forms of damage caused by high-stakes testing, contrasting test-driven schooling with high-quality teaching and assessment practices. . . . He concludes with a call for teachers to reject the neoliberal framework and participate in wider political efforts to ensure both high quality schooling and other programs that support human and social needs..." - Fairtest Examiner

"This extensively documented history of a political movement and its implications for the classroom will enlighten teachers and other stakeholders in the educational system about the background, motivations, and possible consequences of today's movement toward high-stakes testing....The book's overall tone, style, and length will enable teachers to pack it on a short trip and come away with deep understanding." - Teacher Education Materials Project, (Te-Mat)

"Part of what makes this book accessible is that Hursh roots much of his discussion in his own experiences as a working class youth and as a teacher in progressive schools. Avoiding jargon, he has assembled a rich array of evidence of the economic and social effects of neoliberalism, focusing on its consequences for education. He also details the many forms of damage caused by high-stakes testing, contrasting test-driven schooling with high-quality teaching and assessment practices. . . . He concludes with a call for teachers to reject the neoliberal framework and participate in wider political efforts to ensure both high quality schooling and other programs that support human and social needs." - Fairtest Examiner