The social role of schooling is to equip students with the tools that will enable them to control their own destiny. How this role can be attained is explored through discussion of the current social role of schooling, our conception of democracy, and recent criticism of public schooling. (DF)

H. Michael Sokolow's position on whether or not educational institutions should be regarded as morally responsible (in reference to various important contemporary problems) is critiqued, and an alternative view of educational institutions' moral responsibility is offered. (Author/CJ)

This article takes a philosophical look at judicial concepts of fiscal equality as they apply to education. Ideas discussed include (1) the concept of basic education and how equal education applies; (2) differences in requirements of equality; and (3) educational outcomes used to judge equality. Comments by Stephen Arons are included. (DF)

As long as attendance remains the chief avenue to schooling credentials and these credentials remain prerequisites to jobs, social compulsion will remain more dominant than legal compulsion. (JD)

Three approaches to philosophical inquiry (analysis, articulation, antimony) are explored in a commentary on "Philosophy and Education: Eightieth Yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education." A discussion of the sometimes-contradictory school role in providing both educational excellence and socialization illustrates how…