Each year, more than 56 million students attend elementary or secondary schools in the United States, while another 20 million are enrolled in institutions of higher education. Education reform advocates consistently look for new ways to improve the nation's school systems, but the road ahead presents many challenges. This book explores major issues in education today, including the pros and cons of the Common Core curriculum, the benefits of charter schools, and the effectiveness of standardized testing.The Contemporary Issues series gives young readers a better understanding of major social issues today. Each book examines four key questions related to a controversial topic, with chapters that detail the most commonly heard arguments on both sides of the discussion. The arguments contained within are supported by data from experts as well as nonpartisan reports, allowing the reader to make his or her own informed decision on the issue.