"Jim Dueck continues to be a provocative voice around issues of educational reform and improvement. With decades of experience behind him, Dueck offers recommendations on issues ranging from school accountability to educator accountability, from tenure to professional development to teacher preparation. You may not agree with everything he proposes, but he'll make you think." --Joanne Weiss, education advisor and former chief of staff to U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan "Dr. Dueck deserves credit for presenting a clear, wide-ranging and detailed vision for our school systems based on a wealth of experience and research data. I particularly appreciate that his recommendations go beyond the usual high-level statements to contain detailed, practical and implementable steps for policymakers.

While I suspect many readers will disagree with some of Dr. Dueck's diagnoses and recommendations as I did, his call for greater transparency for parents and voters, as well as greater focus on student success as a driver of policy should be welcomed by all who are concerned with the state of K-12 education in North America." --Daniel Weisberg, CEO, TNTP "The title of this book is on target as just about every politically sensitive topic in education is put under the microscope. From union influence to testing, Jim Dueck doesn't hold any punches. With well-reasoned evidence he lays out a provocative set of arguments that should push the thinking of education reformers from around the globe, but particularly in North America." --Paul Herdman, president and CEO, Rodel Foundation "Dr. Jim Dueck exposes the education system to a much needed strong light in which he identifies the usual suspects of teacher unions, school boards, politicians and vested education interest groups, who work in tandem to lock-up education into spending more than is necessary to get results by coddling teachers, buying political peace at any price and ensuring that needed education reforms for sterling results are stifled in their infancy. Bravo on Dr.

Dueck for stating what is considered dangerous for almost everyone else in society. This book is the tonic needed to remedy what looks like systematic insanity costing financial resources and students' bright futures." --Angus McBeath, former superintendent for Edmonton Public Schools.