Most would agree that education is a social good and necessity, yet serious inequities and inequalities remain in our educational system. The largest sources of support for public schools are the local school district and the state. The revenues they contribute come from property and sales taxes, both of which are regressive and inequitable. Our uncoordinated economic system, which has resulted in unemployment, hardship, and deprivation, also creates problems for formal education. Only with coordinated national planning, equitable tax reform, and the complete restructuring of federal, state, and local roles in financing public education can the goals of quality education and equal educational opportunity be realized. Positive changes have occurred, including: the increasing participation of teachers, parents, students, and community groups in educational decision-making; the efforts of unions like the United Automobile Workers to be educating and learning unions; mandates to local unions to establish education committees; negotiations for worker sabbaticals; and the growing partnership between unions and community colleges. (AYC)