The author discusses the 1990s trend in schools in Lipetsk Oblast to back away from previous policies of including social, cultural, civic and moral training for students. During the same period, says the writer, parents began to show less interest in the effectiveness of instruction and upbringing. These combined trends resulted in increased alienation between families and schools, and between teachers and parents. "Street socialization" increased, as did crime among school students. In connection with preparations for the fifty-fifth anniversary of Victory in World War II, educational institutions in Lipetsk Oblast stepped up efforts to promote the spiritual and moral upbringing of school students. The following principles have been given priority: (1) Civic orientation (2) Connection to life and labor; (3) Emphasis on the positive; (4) Individualized approach; and (5) Fostering unity. Sociological surveys conducted by the author in 2002 and 2003 indicate that the majority of respondents recognize the need for and approve the idea of creating a civic and state system of upbringing. The author concludes with suggestions for improving the system by: (1) Implementing consistent state policy designed to enhance the social status of upbringing; (2) Extending use of tools of moral and material incentives for workers in education who are actively taking part in the organization of the upbringing process; (3) Creating conditions necessary for educational institutions to have on their permanent staffs teachers of supplementary education, senior leaders, organizers, social teachers, psychologists, and class upbringers; (4) Stepping up efforts to educate parents in matters of upbringing; and (5) Improving criteria for rating the quality and the successfulness of the upbringing activity of all types of educational institutions. (Contains 1 table.)