On September 5, 1986, the Elementary School Center convened a national, interdisciplinary group of respondents and observer-participants to debate the main issues raised in Secretary of Education Bennett's "First Lessons" and to note the areas which need additional attention. Respondents and observer-participants included public and private educators, researchers, pediatricians, local, state, and national policymakers, and several members of Secretary Bennett's Elementary Education Study Group. Discussion is reported under six headings. Part 1 focuses on strengths and concerns of "First Lessons." Part 2 focuses on children, parents, and the community of adults involved in elementary education. Part 3 focuses on curriculum issues concerning reading and writing, integrating subject matter, specialist teachers, social studies and global issues, and time. Part 4 focuses on teaching and administrative personnel in the elementary school. Part 5 focuses on school policy issues, such as standards and testing, resources and equity, class size, preschool education, and special education and gifted children. Part 6 briefly specifies actions to take in order to improve elementary education. Included are a list of observer-participants, respondents' profiles, and a description of the Elementary School Center. (RH)