Corbis

If Our Schools Fail, Do the Terrorists Win?

A new report details the national-security implications of a deteriorating American public schools system

School of Thought: 12 Education Activists for 2012

Paul Morigi / WireImage

What do an old-school game designer, the NCAA chief and Maggie Gyllenhaal have in common? They’re all on TIME’s list of the 12 education activists to watch in 2012. Those named to TIME’s 11 for ’11 made waves last year, and this next group will too — for good or ill

Andrew Rotherham

Blame Game: Let’s Talk Honestly About Bad Teachers

Nicholas Alan Cope / Getty Images

Removing the lowest performing educators would pay big dividends, but saying so invites charges of “teacher bashing”