In February 1990, the President and state governors proclaimed a set of six national education goals to prompt profound improvements in schools and student achievement by the year 2000. These six goals reflect widely held concerns that most Americans have not been receiving the kind of education they need to meet the challenges of twenty-first century life. This Digest addresses Goal Three of the six national goals: "By the year 2000, American students will leave grades four, eight, and twelve having demonstrated competency in challenging subject matter including English, mathematics, science, history, and geography; and every school in America will ensure that all students learn to use their minds well, so that they may be prepared for responsible citizenship, further learning, and productive employment in our modern economy." The Digest discusses summaries of student achievement in core subjects, measured by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which reveal that current levels of student achievement fall far short of the standard implied by National Education Goal Three. The Digest presents ideas for schools and parents to help improve student achievement in core subjects. For example, schools can increase the quantity and the quality of challenging subject matter that all students are required to study in elementary and secondary schools, and encourage more students to pursue advanced coursework in the core subjects. It is suggested that parents, for example, should encourage school teachers and administrators to establish clear and challenging standards about what all students should know and be able to do in all core subjects of the school curriculum. (DB)