Do American schools adequately prepare students to take part in society? Can a complacent, ill-informed public trace its problems back to the nation’s classrooms? This program examines the impact of the No Child Left Behind Act on the ability of public education to involve students in civic and governmental processes. Filmed in economically and culturally diverse schools, the program includes provocative interviews with teachers, administrators, and nationally known experts—all of whom discuss the challenges of helping children become knowledgeable citizens while fulfilling the needs of basic education. Scenes of teachers working to engage their students in participatory democracy are included. (58 minutes)