Generalized views of the role of the elementary school in a democratic society and of the uniqueness of each student have implications for policy in improving elementary education. Owing to the youth of its clientele, the elementary school has an intense impact. No school so greatly affects so many Americans. It is a democratic institution instructive in the ways of democracy and knowledges and skills required for equal opportunity. Learning is an individual process. Each child's unique, personal characteristics determine whether and how he can profit from a given learning situation. The assigning of homework and having a pupil repeat a year should be adaptions to individual pupils. Reading should be taught in kindergarten, but only to those pupils who are ready for it. (Other issues in elementary education discussed are foreign language instruction in elementary schools, departmentalization, giftedness, school facilities, and the teacher shortage.) (DL)