Carl Sommer has unusual qualifications for writing this book on education: He has taught high school students in New York City, counseled students and parents as a high school assistant dean of boys in a school with 3,600 pupils, worked as a foreman of a tool and die shop and managed a manufacturing plant. Shortly after becoming a high school teacher Sommer discovered something seriously wrong with the education his students received; for ten years he researched the problem. Though he had a college degree, to validate his teacher’s license he attended Oswego State University, City College of New York, and New York University. While attending New York University he had the privilege of using Bobst Library, the largest research library in New York City, to help him in his investigation. To discover solutions to the problems plaguing American education, he sent a survey to 115 principals, 49 of whom responded. He has personally interviewed parents, students, teachers, assistant principals, and principals. Since the book covers such a multitude of problems and solutions, he has had numerous individuals, both black and white, read portions of the book: parents, lawyers, ministers, teachers, principals, a college professor, and superintendents of schools. With his parental and managerial background Sommer examines the schools from without the system, and with his counseling and educational background, from within. Though exposing many current weaknesses of today’s education, Sommer constantly strives to promote practical solutions for successful schools. Read Less