Presents a broad overview of restructuring trends, then considers the values at the center of education reform, looks at the school as an institution in itself, and provides a comprehensive survey of the state of American education. Investigates the predicted benefits of school choice, notes the wide range of educational choices in other countries, and offers a case study of District 4 in New York, where a public school choice system has been in existence since the 1970s. Analyzes the policy aspects of school choice and the historical development of school choice advocacy, and considers partnerships between schools and businesses. Richard M. Daley, mayor of Chicago, provides a local-government perspective. Hakim is professor of economics and codirector of the Privatization Research Center of Temple University. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Read Less