The undereducation of at-risk youth is a critical issue overlooked by the education reform movement of the 1980s, as represented by the report, "A Nation At Risk." This group, whose members are predominantly economically, culturally, racially, and ethnically disadvantaged, is leaving school unprepared for further education or available work. Workers' lack of basic skills is creating an inadequate labor force for the United States to compete in a world economy. Three personal narratives illustrate typical at-risk students. The Federal Government has decreased its financial commitment to education. Federal support is required by the following groups: (1) low-income children in need of preschool education; (2) students in need of remediation; (3) children in need of bilingual education; and (4) youth in need of job training. A survey of 49 states and the District of Columbia reported efforts in the following areas: (1) early identification and remediation; (2) career exploration and vocational education; (3) dropout prevention and school-to-work transition; (4) dropout retrieval and second chance programs; and (5) equal funding. The barriers to assisting at-risk youth are the following: (1) failure to perceive their need; (2) resistance to institutional change at the state and local levels; and (3) absence of leadership at the federal level. The appendices include the following: (1) summaries of the reform efforts of 14 states; (2) a chart of the Federal Program Budget Authorization by State, 1986 and 1987; and (3) a list of State contacts. A list of resources is also included. (FMW)