In this article, the authors argue that those who consider schools in an instrumentalist way alone are clearly deceived by the problem, whether elegantly or not. This position is dangerous and leads to a continuing dismal plight if one expects that educators should work within the confines of conditions as they presently exist, conditions that have been exacerbated by the exploits of capitalism, particularly when educators know the dire circumstances that so many of the children and teachers face each day. Instead, educators need dreams to help them work toward different possibilities. The authors agree with other educators among the critical left that educated hope and a new social movement are needed to enable them to speak to and change this prevailing position and these conditions so that children can be educated and cared for differently in the midst of an unjust world. (Contains 1 note.)