This preface introduces the purpose of the book, which is to increase awareness of the American education system and what needs to be done to improve it. The author aims to clearly explain reforms needed without debate. Drawing on decades of experience as a student, teacher, administrator and professor, the author has a comprehensive perspective of issues in American education and hopes the pragmatic message of the book will resonate with citizens.

1. Preface
The purpose of this book is to create a greater awareness of American
education and its impact upon the affairs of our nation’s schools. More specifically,
it is intended to provide our citizenry basic understanding of what needs to be done
to restore our nation to the special place it was supposed to be; and more
importantly, what it was meant to be. Upon completion of the book everyone should
have a clearer idea of what needs to be done and how to do it.
While most books of this kind tend to be either academic or personal in
nature, this one will be neither. The format and style will be extremely direct and
pragmatic in scope. Nothing should be left to doubt or equivocation even though
lingering debate may continue to exist. The author feels strongly that the current
debate in education is counterproductive and serves to exacerbate problems that
should have been resolved years ago.
It took decades for this book to be written. The very idea of writing a book
today is not like it was before. Books today do not have the clout or influence they
once had rendering it virtually impossible for any message to seriously resonate
upon others. Quite simply, there are too many books out there to make an impact.
The issue is far worse with respect to books of a more informative nature,
particularly those in education. It is almost impossible for the printed word to pop
out as it should. The author recognizes this and hopes that the message portrayed
here will reach out to the American people. The book is an embodiment of
observation made over the course of a lifetime in education.
What perhaps makes this book different from others is the fact that the
author by virtue of happenstance has experienced just about every facet of the
business of education. He has been a student, teacher, administrator, and teacher-
education professor and has the unique distinction of working for the United States
Department of Defense in an educational capacity. Each of these experiences
brought with them a profound understanding of the American education system.
Together, these experiences helped to form a deep, penetrating understanding of
American education and what may be needed to prepare our citizenry for the period
ahead.
Marvin Kopit
2011