This book offers a balanced perspective on the social foundations of American education. Serow, Castelli and Castelli include chapters covering the issues and trends in American education; family background and social class; race and ethnicity; equal educational opportunity; local, state, and federal influences; classrooms; students; and philosophy and teaching. The authors present the analytic and interpretive material in a manner that allows readers to form their own conclusions about the events described. In an effort to maintain this balance, many of the judgments rendered appear near the end of each chapter in the Conclusion section.

The second edition, like the first, includes real case profiles and case studies as well as chapter previews and summaries. However, it also includes new charts, tables, and updated data to present the reader with the most accurate information available. Since the first edition was written, the American public school system has experienced a minor renaissance — higher standards, character education, accountability, the effective school movement, etc. The second edition analyzes these trends. Finally, the second edition highlights salient themes with a new section in each chapter entitled “Voices from the Field.” This section will feature the perspectives of teachers from various grade levels and regions allowing the reader a glimpse of the “real world” of education.