America's public schools face a demanding call for reform. This guidebook argues that public schools are failing and that the "education establishment" has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. The book provides guidelines for parents and citizens for making community-based changes or state reform of education. Section 1, "What Is School Reform?" provides an overview of school reform, models for school reform, and the myths and realities of governance, arguing that the education system is a bureaucratic industry. Three chapters in part 2, "Who's in Charge: The Education Establishment," describe the organizations that represent different aspects of the schools and what concerned citizens can do to work inside or outside of unions, school districts, the state government, and the federal government. Strategies practiced by the education establishment to discredit education reformers are described in chapter 9. Six chapters in part 3, "Working for Reform," present techniques for getting informed, building coalitions, publicizing the reform effort, growing the organization, approaching officials, and creating a media-relations plan. Appendices contain selected national education statistics, a list of resource organizations, a glossary, and lists of suggested readings and resources. (LMI)