The Goals 2000: Educate America Act is based on the notion of building individual community strengths, creating partnerships, and developing world-class standards for every child. Individuals interested in helping to put the act's educational objectives into action at the local level will find suggestions in this document. The publication contains general information about the act and offers questions to help analyze what needs to be done to improve learning in schools and communities. It offers guidelines for getting started (in order to receive Goals 2000 funding), including suggestions for developing a planning panel and assessing student learning. Ten elements for building a local action plan are highlighted. The document also offers questions to ask when conducting an inventory of all existing efforts related to each goal; when developing a partnership with the state; and when getting federal help for special challenges. Online library sources are also provided. The appendix outlines elements of the state Goals 2000 action plan and lists voluntary standards projects. (LMI)