ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the symptoms and a primary cause of America's educational distress. It establishes the apparent objectives or ends educational policy should serve in the contemporary United States. Seen from a fresh vantage point, the natural ends and objectives of educational policy will be quite clear. In a democratic society, those natural ends begin with the welfare of the individual. The chapter presents a natural symmetry between what society expects of families in nurturing their children, on the one hand, and what society encourages and provides for on the other hand. In other words, there would be symmetry in the relationship between family responsibilities and family capacities. The issue of ethical inadequacy—pedagogical and behavioral—in the public schools forced to operate under monopolistic conditions is of huge importance today. The sad symptoms of educational failure lead to the creation of corollary groups demanding change and improvement.
