American schools are continuously called upon to serve many constituents by providing a variety of educational and social services to learners of all ages. However, schools are often hindered by parents who do not understand or are unaware of educational issues and how they impact their children. Now more than ever before, parents need to be informed so that they may become active, knowledgeable partners in the educational process. In Hot-Button Issues In Today's Schools, Sheldon Marcus and Phillip D. Vairo examine contemporary educational issues of paramount concern to parents, including: _