“How Schools Work is as insightful as it is inspiring… This is a book every American must read.”
— Washington Book Review

“[Duncan] comes across on every page as smart, honest, decent, articulate, knowledgeable, humble and deeply caring. Who could wish for a better advocate for the children many of our schools are failing every day or for a country whose schools are falling further and further behind those in other industrialized countries?”
— Education Week

“Former Education Secretary Arne Duncan makes a powerful case in his new book, How Schools Work, that major increases in teacher pay, coupled with true accountability and multiple measures for reducing gun violence in schools, stand at the top of any to-do list to improve American education.”
— Brookings

“Arne Duncan was one of the most powerful education secretaries in US history. Which is not to say he got his way. In this surprisingly candid chronology of his lifelong quest to fix America’s schools, Duncan reveals how he learned to run towards angry parents (not away from them), to understand the cowardice of certain national politicians (and the courage of others), and to hear the lies that get told about our education system (including a couple that he told himself).”
— Amanda Ripley, New York Times bestselling author of The Smartest Kids in the World

“In How Schools Work, Secretary Duncan outlines an honest and thoughtful way forward for our education system. This book merits every American’s serious consideration because, as Secretary Duncan explains, our children, our economy, and our national security are at stake.”
— Vice President Joe Biden

“An impassioned plea for school reform.”
— Kirkus Reviews

“The book exudes an earnest Leave It to Beaver charm.... [Duncan shares] moving accounts of his experiences with the families of students killed by gun violence. He shows admirable verve in describing his success working with a Chicago school system lawyer to find a contractual workaround to make an afterschool program logistically feasible, and his later willingness, as superintendent, to give “Freakonomics” researcher Steven Levitt access to the city’s test data in order to flag teacher cheating.”
— Education Next

“Duncan’s memoir of his experience as U.S. secretary of Education under President Barack Obama draws you in.... Contains valuable insights about the importance of good teachers, effective spending and accountability for results.”
— Washington Times

“A readable recounting of the personal and professional back story that led to Duncan’s priorities as education secretary.... Duncan’s concern for children’s welfare comes through in his writing.”
— The Washington Post

“Duncan’s experienced perspective will interest anyone invested in American public education.”
— Publishers Weekly

“Duncan is a great writer; How Schools Work moves right along, with a nice mixture of concrete anecdotes, more abstract material about policy struggles, and frank and honest self-evaluations of where he felt he got things wrong versus where he still feels strongly that he understands the way things ought to be.... How Schools Work is certainly worth your time.”
— Journal of a Programmer

“An incendiary new book about the ‘lies’ [Duncan] says the public is fed about education and student potential.”
— Politico

“Full of smart ideas for U.S. public education.”
— The74

“A stimulating read, this text is recommended for anyone interested in the US education system.”
— Choice