John Taylor Gatto is a great educator with decades of experience inside the New York public school system. But the best experiences--- for him, and for the kids he teaches--- have been outside the system; and the contrast is illuminating.

It is true that their advocacy of homeschooling and private schooling (as opposed to government schooling) has a vehemence which will make some people gulp or sweat. So be it. If you have one child, or two or three or more children whom you love more than your own life, and you want to shield them from the worst in education, and offer them the best, then you owe it to yourself and to them to read this book.

Do it now! It's exhilarating!

The various educators present a brief speech on what their educational method is and why it is successful. Some former students of Gatto also spoke briefly about how little public schools contributed to their successful lives, and how almost all of what they consider important learning happened outside of school on a self-initiated basis. John Taylor Gatto is the only person whose words are speaking out about what is wrong with the present American government schools and why change is needed. For more detailed opinions of Gatto, read "A Different Kind of Teacher" or "Dumbing Us Down".

The purpose of this talk was to get the word out to educators and parents that there are alternatives to the public schools that are successful. I believe the goal was to get parents and teachers motivated to inspire reform of the public schools or at least to know there are working models that reform can be based on. If reform doesn't come fast enough (or ever) then know there are options out there for educational alternatives for our children. Parents who want options can either use the existing alternative schools or perhaps take on the endeavor to open a new school or to homeschool.

The educators briefly discuss what their schools are like and a scant overview of the educational philosophy behind their schools. This is great information for someone who is not yet familiar with these educational options-a good first start in hearing about these schools. If you are interested in more detailed information there is more on the Internet or in other books about those schools. Homeschooling is one option that is discussed by Patrick Farenga. The schools represented are: Sudbury Valley School (a democratic school), Hawthorne Valley Farm School (a Waldorf school), Alternative Community School of Ithaca (public school of choice), and the Albany Free School.

Gatto wraps up the book with an afterward that is a concise history of how American public schools grew to be what they are today. For a long expansion of this short afterward read "The Underground History of American Education".

This is a fast and short read that will be of interest to those interested in learning about educational alternatives to public school or those interested in reading about public school reform. As usual, Gatto does not mince words and gets right to the point. I look forward to more books and articles written by Gatto!