When Gorbachev came to power in 1985, he and his supporters signaled educators that schools were free to concentrate on education instead of enforcing dogma. Soviet secondary school principals are discarding old Bolshevist roles, including those of Marxist-Leninist-Communist watchdog and carrier of Communist command directives. Principals also…

Takes stock of current achievements and problems in the Soviet educational system. Identifies issues of the present decade, including lowering the school-starting age; strengthening preschool education; and improving educational facilities, curriculum, textbooks, assessment, and labor training. (Author/WD)