Two clashing positions about the social responsibility of educators and the main purpose of public schools are presented. According to the traditional position, the main purpose of public schools is transmission of a society's essential knowledge, skills, and values, which enables students to develop their capabilities to the fullest and to function effectively as learners, workers, and citizens. By attending to this traditional purpose of schooling, educators act responsibly toward their society and its members. The traditional viewpoint argues strongly against proponents of schooling as an instrument of social engineering in behalf of trendy views about equality, harmony, and justice. Social causes and reforms, promoted under the rubric of social responsibility by special interest groups with benevolent intentions, are discussed as negative influences on education in public schools. Emphasis on social engineering in formal education has led to decline in academic standards and achievement and has undermined core values and institutions that structure our society. A traditional approach to political education, based on rigorous study of history, geography, and constitutional government, is proposed as a means to properly attend to concerns about social responsibility in public education. (JP)