In 1970, Lonnie Palmer earned a bachelor’s degree in physics with plans for a Ph.D.—until a U.S. military draft notice redirected his career. What began as a short‑term high school science teaching position evolved into a 40‑year journey as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and turnaround specialist in urban, suburban, and rural districts.

The Politics of Education K‑12 distills Palmer’s firsthand experience exploring the central questions:

• Why are we spending more on public education yet seeing stagnant achievement?

• Why do U.S. test scores lag behind other countries?

• Where should educational resources be invested to meaningfully boost student performance?

This book challenges conventional thinking, sharing solutions-focused strategies drawn from decades of real-world reform. It’s a compelling call to realign resources for the benefit of student outcomes.