";This book offers a unique approach to the study of the politics of education...Intellectually stimulating."; Larry Hughes, Ph.D, University of Houston ";Interesting and current research in the realm of educational politics... Beautifully written."; Anthony Normore, Ph.D, Florida International University This text challenges leaders, educators and researchers to grapple with the realities of educational politics and to act as positive advocates for social justice. The text offers strategies for educators to understand and take charge of educational politics and includes a range of new approaches to study politics. Each chapter is organized to provide frameworks and findings from traditional as well as new theories and methodologies and political strategies. The whole book is oriented toward building critiquing skills, modeling successful political strategies, and doing politics differently to empower educators and researchers. Features: bull; bull;Includes balanced coverage between practical perspectives and strategies for impacting politics with the theory, research, and methodological insights that will enable readers to formulate studies of politics. bull;Embeds race, gender, sexuality, and multicultural issues within the study of politics so these issues become part and parcel of politics of education. bull;Discusses political dilemmas in the U.S. and compares educational policy outcomes with other countries to demonstrate how countries borrow educational policy strategies from each other (Chapter 7). bull;Every chapter contains Guiding Questions and ends with Exercises that provide practice and skill-building opportunities. The Exercises include provocative questions that require readers to take a stand and/or to speculate, as educational leaders, on the implications of political dilemmas and challenges. bull;Every chapter contains real-life illustrations or vignettes, from highly visible political actors as well as from the often forgotten and marginalized, that demonstrate follow-up on issues and also build readers' skills in interpretation and analysis. bull;An extensive bibliography and useful web links serve as resources to allow readers to seek out original and very far-ranging, up-to-date sources.