by Peg Tyre
First published 2011
American schools deliver wildly uneven education quality, leaving parents struggling to identify which institutions will serve their children well. Education journalist Peg Tyre argues that standard metrics like test scores and college acceptance rates provide misleading information about school effectiveness. She draws on recent educational research and her own investigative reporting to present alternative evaluation methods. Tyre teaches parents to assess classroom environments and teaching quality through more sophisticated measures. Her approach helps families navigate complex decisions between public schools, charter programs, magnet schools, private institutions, parochial education, and homeschooling options. The book provides practical strategies for engaging productively with teachers, administrators, and school boards. Tyre equips parents with tools to interpret education news and policy debates more critically, ultimately helping them secure the best possible learning environment for their specific child.
Genres: social-issues, education, non-fiction, parenting
Vibes: informative, practical, thought-provoking
Tropes: informative-guide, investigative-reporting
256 pages · Hardcover · Henry Holt and Co.