A Paterson (New Jersey) teacher criticizes well-meaning prescriptions for educating students for a civil society. Reforms based on skills-based instruction and test-driven assessment are failing. Inequality is the core issue. Schools cannot compensate for class and racial inequalities, particularly if inequitable funding mechanisms persist.…

This article discusses the question of segregating Spanish-speaking pupils, with reference to New Jersey law and practice. Benefits of native language teaching are weighed against the social isolation this imposes on Hispanic students. Attitudes of Hispanic parents, court doctrine, and desegregation practices which focus only on race are analyzed.…