In Schoolhouse of Cards, Gene Hickok crafts a hard-hitting account of the politics and personalities behind the passage and implementation of No Child Left Behind-the most significant education law in American history. Hickok, a former high-ranking official in the Bush administration's Department of Education, offers a colorful behind-the-scenes account of how NCLB came about as well as no-nonsense prescriptions for the Obama administration's reform efforts. This is essential reading for policymakers and reformers contemplating what's next for federal policy.

Frederick M. Hess, director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute

The passage of No Child Left Behind into law is arguably the single greatest achievement of the Bush administration. The fact that its long-term legacy is now largely in doubt does not give education reformers great confidence that we can successfully implement legal remedies to improve our nation's educational woes. Professor Hickok, however, armed with his unique perspective as a Bush insider and his tremendous insight as political philosopher shines light on the mistakes we need to avoid going forward and boldly asserts what is required to bring true accountability to American public education.

Samuel Casey Carter, President, CFBT USA and author of On Purpose

I greatly appreciated the inside information included in every chapter. Only someone who was actively involved could have told the story in such a manner. I believe that anyone who has the slightest interest in how law and policies are made in Washington would be fascinated by the inside view given by the author.

William Hayes

Hickok, who served as undersecretary of education during the first George W. Bush administration, gives a detailed account of how legislation and key decisions were shaped....He informs us that it was decided early on that accountability should be imposed on the individual school.

Education Next: Journal of Opinion And Research

Hickok (senior policy director, Dutko Worldwide) chronicles the behind-the-scenes events that led to the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2002. Between 2001 and 2005, Hickok had two high-ranking positions in the Bush administration's Department of Education, and most of the information in the book is based on his access to key policy makers and events during this period. As such, it is less a book based on research and more one based on the author's personal experiences. This approach can be seen as refreshing, as research-based education policy books on specific reform proposals are numerous. But at the same time, Schoolhouse of Cards is ultimately more of a journalistic account of the politics and personalities behind a major piece of legislation. As such, the book in its final chapter raises more questions than it answers when it considers various reform proposals, although the author's distinction between schooling and education is important. Recommended. General readers.

Choice Reviews