Parents, professional educators, boards of education, legislators, and the general public are justifiably questioning the monies spent on education, school efficiency, what schools are actually accomplishing, and who controls the results of schooling. However, accountability, as envisioned by its major supporters, will address none of these problems in any fundamental way. If accountability is carried out along the lines proposed, there will be deeper entrenchment and homogeneity and decreased innovation in formal education. (Author)