There is a great diversity of opinions in American education stemming from important and controversial questions of what, who, and how children should be taught. Although America s social, economic, and political landscapes have changed since the inception of public schools in the mid-1800 s, the method of educating has barely evolved. The teacher-centered model seen in the mid-nineteenth century that favored student imitation and rote learning disconnected to contemporary life continues to dominate to this day. The lack of student-centeredness in education has failed our students and country. One third of American students will drop out of high school. For Black and Latino students, the statistics are more staggering: nearly fifty percent will drop out (Thornburg/Shelbville, 2006). The vision of an American public education system that is of high quality and accessible to all American children has yet to be fully realized.