Tough Choices or Tough Times

Book excerpt: Tough Choices or Tough Times, the report of the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce, shows how the dynamics of the global economy will lead to a steady decline in the American standard of living if this country does not undertake the first thorough overhaul of its education system in a century. This new revised and expanded version of Tough Choices or Tough Times includes: An updated Introduction A summary of the Commission's proposals Commentaries on the proposals by Denis Doyle, Lawrence Mishel, Michael Petrilli, Diane Ravitch, and Richard Rothstein, with responses from members of the Commission. Tough Choices or Tough Times provides a well-researched analysis of the issues and a compelling set of proposals for changing our system of education.