Part 1 of this book explores the challenges and rewards of teaching as an occupation. Issues discussed include: (1) the kind of people who choose teaching as a career; (2) the teacher job market; (3) teacher salaries--including career ladders and merit pay plans; (4) the quality of teacher education and the controversy over teacher testing; (5) the role of the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers in professionalizing the occupation; and (6) the legal rights and responsibilities of teachers. Part 2 consists of four chapters on the history, philosophies and theories, sociology, and politics of American education. The third part focuses on to major issues for the 1990's: teachers and the curriculum, and private schools versus public schools. (JD)