Present day right wing attacks on schools and the back to basics movement are in many ways similar to the criticisms made during the McCarthy era of 1949-54, neither movement offering any novel solutions to educational or social problems. Allen A. Zoll and the National Council on American Education provided much rhetoric on constitutional rights and collectivism and their incompatibility, and much literature was published on these subjects. The National Education Association responded to these forces and attempted to refute the charges concerning the corruption of the schools; it is clear that if charges are not met with refutations they become very plausible for the public. The lesson of history in the light of present day criticism is that educators must continually attempt to understand and cope with the numerous criticisms lodged against the schools if they wish to maintain a level of equilibrium in the schools. (DS)