This month marks the 25th anniversary of "A Nation At Risk," a major report issued by the Reagan administration charging that a failing educational system in the United States was causing the country to lose its competitive edge in the global marketplace.

The Cato Institute, a non-profit research foundation with a libertarian bent, is hosting an online debate about the legacy of the report. Former New York Times columnist Richard Rothstein wrote an essay charging that A Nation At Risk was misleading and "set the nation on a school reform crusade that has done more harm than good." In the next few days, other leading education commentators will be posting responses to Rothstein. On April 16, the site will open for public debate.