This document was prepared to help parents, educators, and concerned citizens better understand how children and adolescents actually learn. True learning involves: (1) developing a passion for learning; (2) acquiring communication skills; (3) constructing new knowledge; (4) taking part in concrete activities; and (5) developing problem solving skills. Learning is a complex process that begins at birth and results from the interaction of children's thinking and their experiences in the outside world. The ways in which (and the ease with which) learners acquire knowledge vary greatly from the time they enter kindergarten through their progression through elementary school, middle school, and high school. Students exhibit various physical, personality, and developmental characteristics as they progress through the educational system. Some students assimilate new information with little difficulty; others need practical application and interaction to develop understanding. Learners range from those who are highly motivated and self-directed to those who see little need to be in school. For some, life experiences have been encouraging and supportive; for others, even their basic needs have been neglected. No single solution to address the capabilities and backgrounds of a diverse student body can be offered, but an understanding of learners provides a basis for confronting their needs. (MDM)