This digest briefly reviews major approaches to restructuring American schools and evaluates their potential for improving student learning and their feasibility--politically, financially, and administratively. The following reasons for restructuring are discussed: (1) poor educational performance; and (2) the changing skills needed for today's jobs. The following restructuring options are evaluated: (1) decentralizing authority over schools, which includes school-based management, more professional teaching conditions, and school choice in public education; (2) holding schools more accountable for performance; (3) altering the content and process of classroom instruction; and (4) strengthening school-community links. Possible problems with these proposals for restructuring are identified. (JS)