Our Children and Our Country: Improving America's Schools and Affirming the Common Culture

Secretary of Education since 1985, Bennett has been a visible and vocal advocate of school reform, urging a return to basics and mastery of the classics. In this collections of addresses delivered during his tenure, he focuses on `` what works in education.'' In sections that focus on effective schoools and educators from elementary through college levels, Bennett calls for reaffirmation of common cultural beliefs, which he identifies as ``our Western tradition of learning,'' and advocates the ``three C's'': content, character and choice. While his pragmatic stance, espousal of political conservatism and role as spokesperson for the Reagan administration have provoked criticism, Bennett illuminates in graceful prose possibilities for redesigning public education to ensure accountability. Bennett has also written (with Terry Eastland) Counting by Race. Major ad/promo. (September)