Cheating Our Kids Exposes the Real Problems in America's Public Schools

Joe Williams' book Cheating Our Kids: How Politics and Greed Ruin Education (Palgrave Macmillan, October 2005) is a well-researched, powerful, and compelling book that every parent should read. Moreover, teachers, administrators, and other public school district employees should read this book to better understand the complex relationships within the system of government controlled public schools. Williams primary assertion is that parents and children must be treated more like valued customers in this system. America’s education troubles are where they are today because of the status quo that has consistently put children last—when they should be the ultimate focus. He cites numerous examples of verified waste and overspending by different departments and interests within notable school districts. Williams focuses mainly on the state of urban education in America’s major cities, with his research mainly on Milwaukee, New York City, and San Diego, with additional examples from Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Washington D.C. Examples from suburban and rural districts are also included, but very few, since Williams main intent is to expose the long-term corruption that has occurred in the largest and oldest school districts in the country. However, many of the same issues and concerns can just as easily be found in suburban districts, just not always to the same extreme. In 12 chapters, he dissects the issues and provides strong supportive evidence for each major point, not afraid of emphasizing his editorial ideas, especially with chapters entitled “The Public Education Cartel”, “No Vendor Left Behind”, “Democrats & Republicans (But Mostly Democrats)”, and “Friends with Deep Pockets”.