In the first section, she argues that the main failing of today's public schools is that students do not develop relationships with their teachers.

Her main thesis in this section is that teachers need to focus on teaching to students' interests to help engage them in learning which, in turn, will lower drop out rates.

She explains that because of the high anxiety that comes with state standardized testing certain ethnic communities are put at a large disadvantage.

She also hopes that standardized tests are given less weight in the future since, she believes, they do not give a complete picture of each student.

He also links to other authors that have praised this book, such as Jonathan Kozol, Mike Rose (educator), Publishers Weekly and Ted Sizer.