Looking back, I think the theory was to provide a united and consistent front to the children (so as not to confuse them, to pretend adults do not bicker over petty details, or whatever). Actually, I hope there was that explicit plan; at the time it just looked like incompetence and disinterest in the children, and I've seen nothing to disprove that. Or it might have been more trouble than it was worth to try to fight a parent who didn't want to hear other peoples' opinions.

But darned if I know how they planned to deal with problems caused by dysfunctional families or troublesome parents. The school system didn't seem to have any backup plans if yelling at the kid didn't work.