This document is a commentary on a report by the Quebec Ministry of Education on the problem of educating the disadvantaged. One basic criticism of the report is that it is not enough to decry the failure of the schools and propose a strategy of compensatory education to solve the problem of disadvantagement. It is necessary to realize that the problem can only be solved by transforming the social structure. The need for social measures is mentioned in the original report, but the nature, content, and import of these measures are not specified. The target population is defined as people living in poor "zones." While such a population will be fairly homogeneous and easy to reach, some disadvantaged families may live in areas not declared to be poor, while other families living in disadvantaged areas may not themselves be disadvantaged. Schools in disadvantaged areas should be sensitive to the community environment. The community must become involved in educational decision-making at the local level. The school must become a community school, both by creating a closer contact between the resources of the community and the school and by changing the goals, programs and even the practices of the school. The attitudes of the teachers are important if such changes are to be effected. (MC)