"Chris Cross' analysis is not only thoroughly researched, it is insightful and compelling reading. For those of us interested in anticipating the next steps in the evolution of public education policy in this country,Political Education should be required reading."
—Nancy S. Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools, MD State Department of Education

In this important new book, Christopher Cross traces the evolution of federal education policy during the latter half of the 20th century—from World War II to the present, including a separate chapter on the new federal law, No Child Left Behind by Paul Manna. Cross brings to this book his own experience of 32 years in Washington, combined with research done in several presidential libraries and interviews with more than 20 people who held key positions during that time. What emerges is a highly readable chronicle of how the federal role in education has been transformed, including a look at:

• The major organizations, interest groups, and policymakers to influence federal policy, including Lyndon B. Johnson, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Elliot Richardson, Al Quie, John Brademas, Adam Clayton Powell, Walter Mondale, Abraham Ribicoff, Ted Bell, Bill Bennett, Carl Perkins, and Ted Kennedy.
• How and why the U.S. Department of Education came into existence.
• How the Title I program came to emphasize whole school reform.
• The history behind the development of the federal government special education policy.
• The justification for the federal role in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

Political Education: National Policy Comes of Age is the only book to cover public K–12 education policy in the modern era. Policymakers and practitioners will find this essential reading as they prepare for the changes of a new era of federal influence. Parents and voters will find it helpful in evaluating the proposals that will emerge as political candidates debate policy options in 2004.