Today, we’re reading Erickson’s “Many Children Left Behind” published in The Nation. Read the article and in your small groups answer the following questions:

• What does Erickson mean when she says that public schools provide more than they should? What services to public schools provide to students besides education?
• Is education the best anti-poverty program? Why or why not?
• Why do you (or don’t you) think our education system works on merit?
• What does this article tell you about your own education experience?