Typically, the Guardian leader writer wants it both ways in this, 'can schools change society?' conundrum. If the causes of low attainment lie outside school how can changing schooling make a difference? Doesn't anyone remember the debates of the sixties on these questions? A class diveded society or if you prefer, a society marked by increasing disparities in wealth and power gets a divided school - and university - system. Guardian Unlimited | The Guardian | Slipping in the cities