R. Zamora Linmark criticizes the educational system in "Tongue-Tied", emphasizing that the current educational system is too objective in its teaching of students and that they are obliviously discriminatory and hypocritical in their dealings with pidgin and children who fail to conform to the standards of the system. Linmark establishes progress reports for three of her characters which contain some of the many issues under criticism in her writing.

The following letter is meant to demonstrate the lack of individuality that a child possesses in our educational system.

TO THE PARENTS:

This report is intended to give you an approximation of the progress of your child during this school year 1979-80.

Your interest in, and understanding of the school progress of your son or daughter or twins will be an important factor in his/her/their success. The school cannot accomplish much without the cooperation of the home...