ABSTRACT
The difference between should and do is important in light of criticisms of education in America over the past several decades. Some of these criticisms are deserved, or at least the issues being investigated are troubling, such as aspects connected to inequity and inequality. However, other criticisms are about placing blame and not looking at social, political, economic systems that are strongly linked to schooling. Political climate is critical, can't always be controlled, and requires a mindset of a willingness to listen, disagree, seek compromise, and move forward, and as we shall see, this is in fact is part of how we define democracy. The purpose of education in a democracy is contested and multifaceted. Neoliberalism posits that improved well-being occurs when people have the freedom to advance their own interests and gain economic success. This is achieved through competition, free-markets, and globalization.
