The concern for the economic vitality and international standing of the United States has fueled a school reform movement focused on improving the qualities and outcomes of schooling, all of which have led to the establishment of six National Education Goals to be attained by the year 2000. Because none of the Goals addresses English language learners (ELLs) directly, this digest examines how instruction and assessment practices must improve if ELLs are to accompany their peers in meeting Goals 1-4, which include: (1) school readiness, (2) high school completion, (3) and (4) academic achievement. If all students are to achieve the ambitious National Education Goals, the following four points must be considered: student demographic trends should affect program design and instruction; all teacher preparatory programs should include information and experience in teaching ELLs; the same standards must guide the instruction of all students, including ELLs; and assessment systems must be sufficiently flexible to allow students to demonstrate academic knowledge through different linguistic modes, including oral presentations. (AB)