Hyper-accountability, corporatization, deficit ideology, and Ruby Payne's preparation of teachers to comply with these and other atrocities are not merely markers of philosophical shifts in education. They are manifestations of a neoliberal remaking of public schooling into a private and corporate enterprise. Collectively, these trends are seen not just as an imposition, but as an assault on quality pedagogy; an assault on democratic ideals of equity and social justice; and an assault on kids compelled to participate simply because they are public school students. This edited collection is a response by critically-minded educators, activists, and scholars--both a reaction to and a call to action against these vilifications. It is critical reading for students, professors, administrators, and policy makers involved in public education. Contents of this book include: (1) Introduction (Roberta Ahlquist, Paul C. Gorski and Theresa Montano); (2) The 'Empire" Strikes Back via a Neoliberal Agenda: Confronting the Legacies of Colonialism (Roberta Ahlquist); (3) What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About "The Achievement Gap" (Sue Books); (4) Can Standardized Teacher Performance Assessment Identify Highly Qualified Teachers? (Ann Berlak); (5) Anti-Democratic Militaristic Education: An Overview and Critical Analysis of KIPP Schools (Brian Lack); (6) Exposing the Myths of the Corporate City: Popular Education and Political Activism in Atlanta (Richard Lakes, Paul McLennan, Jennifer Sauer and Mary Anne Smith); (7) Ground Zero in a Corporate Classroom (Lisa Martin); (8) Why Aren't We More Enraged? (Virginia Lea); (9) Unlearning Deficit Ideology and the Scornful Gaze: Thoughts on Authenticating the Class Discourse in Education (Paul C. Gorski); (10) A Framework for Maintaining White Privilege: A Critique of Ruby Payne (Monique Redeaux); (11) Undoing Ruby Payne and Other Deficit Views of English Language Learners (Theresa Montano and Rosalinda Quintanar-Sarellana); and (12) What's Class Got to Do with It? A Pedagogical Response to a Deficit Perspective (Julie Keown-Bomar and Deborah Pattee). [Foreword by Annette Henry.]