Book excerpt: In this fascinating account, the author examines the politics of federal education policy through the lens of the most recent reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Using the epic battle that spanned two Congresses and two presidential administrations, this book illustrates the new dynamics of political interactions and policy formulation as they affect public education issues. Highlighting the polarization between the two parties and how it affected the outcome of the bill, this book: explains why President Bush succeeded in passing an expansive education bill, No Child Left Behind, and President Clinton failed to do so; describes the changing institutional relationships and shows why practitioner groups were largely left out of the process; reveals how leaders in the House and Senate were able to compromise on provisions like testing, choice, and accountability; and reframes the analysis of the changed political and institutional environment in which education policy decisions will be made in the new century.