Parents know how important good schools are when they are deciding where to buy a new house. That's why they are willing to stretch their budget for a home near a "good" school. But they should not be fooled by the tree-lined streets and expensive real estate - the neighborhood schools may not be as good as they think, according to the findings in Not as Good as You Think: Why the Middle Class Needs School Choice. The book takes readers on a driving tour of some of California's best neighborhoods and supposedly some of its best schools. Many parents have found out the hard way that despite what they have been told about their neighborhood schools, many of these students are not performing at grade level, let alone ready for college.

This book introduces the principles and practices in automotive systems, including modern automotive systems that incorporate the latest trends in the automobile industry. The fifteen chapters present new and innovative methods to master the complexities of the vehicle of the future. Topics like vehicle classification, structure and layouts, engines, transmissions, braking, suspension and steering are illustrated with modern concepts, such as battery-electric, hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicles and vehicle maintenance practices. Each chapter is supported with examples, illustrative figures, multiple-choice questions and review questions. Aimed at senior undergraduate and graduate students in automotive/automobile engineering, mechanical engineering, electronics engineering, this book covers the following: Construction and working details of all modern as well as fundamental automotive systems Complexities of operation and assembly of various parts of automotive systems in a simplified manner Handling of automotive systems and integration of various components for smooth functioning of the vehicle Modern topics such as battery-electric, hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicles Illustrative examples, figures, multiple-choice questions and review questions at the end of each chapter