The high school has paradoxically undergone a loss in status while gaining in importance for young people. Education has become essential to survival in today's world. Along with the government's financial neglect of public high schools in favor of the development of post secondary institutions, the high school's educational task has become more difficult due to rapid social change affecting particularly adolescents. School discipline problems, such as vandalism, truancy, and violence, have been on the increase nationwide. Studies indicate that students who are not doing well academically are the ones having discipline problems and also problems coping with social pressures and responsibilities. Federal funding should be available at the individual school level for educational programs which will provide students with opportunities to develop both academically and socially. (Author/GC)