Book excerpt: Are the learning needs of children and youth being met by the Canadian school system? Is it possible for all students to learn what is essential to function in our society? What must be done to reform schools? Canadian parents, business leaders, citizens, community and political leaders are asking these, and similar questions. They know that education is essential for their children, and they realize that our country's future depends on a population of educated citizens. This book is Bill McKerlich's response to these questions. Twelve Steps to Reform Canadian Public Education outlines both a comprehensive assessment and a thoughtful plan for the necessary reform of our schools written by an experienced educator. Focus: "To adjust the focal length of the eye to give a clear image." Our school system may have been adequate for the past, but is now out of focus with the present learning needs of our students. The system requires immediate adjustment so that it has a clear image of purpose, and how to achieve this purpose. As part of this process, it will be necessary to improve the early childhood development of an important minority of our children. Using our democratic processes, these adjustments will be discussed and changes decided. The results will be immediately planned and implemented. If this does not happen, effective public schooling for all children and youth will be lost, and a significant minority of Canadian children will not reach their potential to be happy and productive citizens. The resulting long-term negative social and economic consequences will cripple our society. Book Purpose: The purpose of this book is to assist this important public discussion by outlining a plan of school reform in twelve steps. The plan describes how the early childhood development of some deprived children can improve, and how the school system can be refocused so that all children will learn to the maximum of their ability. Book Organisation: The steps are stated at the beginning of the chapters in which they are described. The first five chapters centre on children, learning, teaching, and schools. The later four chapters describe the organisation, governance, leadership, and management processes required for schools to have all children learn. The twelve steps form a planned approach to improving schools with the steps often interdependent on each other. This approach is in contrast to the unsatisfactory ad hoc tinkering that public education has experienced over the years. The plan has direct relevance to the Canadian provinces, but may have some application to the education jurisdictions of other countries. Visit the author's website at http://www.reform-education.com