presents the most expansive, up-to-date survey of curriculum development in the United States, ranging from its history and the origins of the cry for higher standards, to societal influences on schools and the legal challenges they face today. Supported by examples illustrating both successful and failed school reforms, critical developments of the past 25 years and their impacts—including the rise of charter schools, home schooling, the standards movement, high-stakes testing, and authentic assessment—are carefully analyzed. The first work to examine ethical concerns with multicultural and multilingual students also addresses professionalism in teaching and teacher education.