This book of essay provides an analysis of how Goals 2000 and other standards-setting initiatives will affect local school districts and private schools. The essayists reflect diverse perspectives on the issue and argue that mandated standards will have devastating effects on children's learning and on the quality of democratic community life. Essays include: (1) "Introduction: The Case Against National Goals, Standards, and Curriculum" (Ron Miller); (2) "Schooling in the Modern Age: Core Assumptions Underlying the Standards Agenda" (Ron Miller); (3) "Reforming School Reform" (James Moffett); (4) "Educational Reform and the Dangers of Triumphant Rhetoric" (Jeffrey Kane); (5) "Goal Setting in Education" (Nel Noddings); (6) "Charter Schools and Procedural Freedom" (Gary Lamb); (7)"Goals 2000: What Have We Done with Our Freedom?" (Ronald Milito); (8) "Goals 2000 Versus the Rights of Conscience and the Building of Community" (Stephen Arons); (9) "Culture, Imperialism, and Goals 2000" (Harold Berlak); (10) "Goals 2000, the Triumph of Vulgarity, and the Legitimation of Social Injustice" (David E. Purpel); (11) "The White Man's Burden, Revisited" (Gerald Porter); (12) "Mad as Hell" (Patrick Shannon); (13) "Holding Our Ground: Goals 2000 and Families" (Seth Rockmuller; Katharine Houk); (14) "Unschooling 2000" (Pat Farenga); (15) "Thoughts from a Free Mom" (Linda Dobson); (16) "The Secrets of Education" (Lynn Stoddard); and (17) "A Holistic Philosophy of Educational Freedom" (Ron Miller). (EH)