This book examines reform in American education over the past 50 years, analyzing why contemporary voucher plans and charter schools have yet to fulfill the expectations of their advocates. The book discusses: a historical perspective, insight into student achievement, voucher plans and charter schools, and policy recommendations. The eight chapters are: (1) "American Education: How Good Is It and Who Should Control It?" (2) "Crisis in Public Education: Past and Present"; (3) "Student Performance in American Schools: An Empirical Report Card"; (4) "The Emergence of School Vouchers and Choice in American Schools"; (5) "In the 1990s, Government Created Charter Schools"; (6) "Charter Schools: Effective Instrument or Wasteful Experiment"; (7) "Charter Schools: Some of the Best and Worst in American Education?" and (8) "Dealing with Complexity and Uncertainty: Moving Schooling Forward." An epilogue presents "Presidential Election 2000 and Beyond." (SM)