I think they folded because they figured out that public education in the US isn't about really developing understanding and learning. It's designed to produce

I think they folded because they figured out that public education in the US isn't about really developing understanding and learning. It's designed to produce mediocre intellects, to hamstring the inner life, to deny appreciable leadership skills and to ensure docile and incomplete citizens in order to render the populace "manageable." Individual teachers don't think this: they actually think they're supposed to help develop a student's intellect. A lot of conflict arises here. John Taylor Gatto wrote about this in his essay "Against School". It's a good read. http://www.wesjones.com/gatto1.htm http://www.wesjones.com/gatto1.htm