The American educational system is credited by many well-known leaders and educational writers as being responsible for the success of American democracy and industrial society. They say that education builds the state as a democratic society that rests upon the education of all people and builds a foundation for freedom by the opportunity provided to individuals for development to their utmost potential. From the revisionists among historians and analysts of neocolonialism to Glasser's ideas that would modify present educational methodologies and Illich's proposal to deschool society altogether, critics hold in common a view that schools have failed large numbers of children. They argue that schools help preserve the social structure and reinforce the dominant political and economic interests of all countries. A possibility of a synthesis of these two positions is a hopeful and creative one that is logical because many in the two camps have been willing to consider varied proposals for change of the current educational system. One of America's greatest needs is for a comprehensive program of adult education. Three advantages include a better adult understanding of the educational system, extension of courses beyond the formal school years, and lowering of the age for leaving school. (YLB)