Across the country, parents, teachers, and community leaders are forming broad, community-based coalitions to respond to the growing emphasis on market-oriented public school reform. Drawing on case studies in the Philadelphia, Newark, and Camden metropolitan region, Barbara Ferman and her contributors describe who participates in these school reform coalitions, why they became involved, and the nature of the organizations that support their efforts. This book adds important insights on the ways parents and community members can band together to challenge the powerful forces that are pushing the market-based reform agenda. — Marion Orr, Frederick Lippitt Professor of Public Policy, and professor of political science and urban studies, Brown University

This book could not be more timely, urgent, and compelling. It takes us to the front lines of grassroots organizing against neoliberal assaults on public education today, showing the new ways that parents, teachers, unions, and other progressives—across urban and suburban lines—are building coalitions to boycott high-stakes tests and stop school closings. A richly detailed, carefully argued, and ultimately hopeful book. — Mark R. Warren, professor of public policy and public affairs, University of Massachusetts Boston

This timely book is illuminating, hopeful, and delivers on its goal of providing examples of how grassroots organizing in different contexts is pushing back against neoliberal school reform. — Karen Hunter and Rebecca Cooper Geller, Teachers College Record