The downward trend in educational quality, as evidenced by sinking Scholastic Aptitude Test scores and other evaluatory measures, is examined. Both secondary school teachers and university faculty are held accountable for lowering academic standards, and much critical attention is paid to the precipitant implementation of innovative educational programs and curricula. Trends toward lenient attitudes concerning student discipline are censured. Overuse of educational media, objective testing technique, and student-centered program design are also topics of examination. (LH)