To counter calls for a cut in education spending during the economic troubles, and even voices still echoing from a decade ago about more student sweat and more teacher accountability, Hargreaves and Shirley (both education, Boston College) propose a direction for education reform that weaves together the successes from the American past and from foreign experience, and lets loose of notions and practices--however cherished--that do not further the education process. Small numbers loom large in their plan: three ways of change, three paths of distraction, four horizons of hope, and the title. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)