Drawing on 14 case studies, this article examines reforms and innovative strategies affecting quantity and quality of time usage, and the potential of nonschool educators to complement and expand youngsters' learning opportunities. Many successful programs offer students less classroom time. Some residential programs for dropouts and poor minority…

Noncollege-bound students (the "forgotten 42%") are more likely to be low-wage employees or unemployed. Minority-group employment outcomes are bleak, and poverty data, particularly for dropouts, are even more discouraging. Access to higher education has improved, despite higher tuition costs, but persistence toward degrees has not. (MLH)

High schools and teacher training institutions in the United States exhibit different characteristics than those exhibited by similar schools in other countries. These differences are rooted in America's history and help explain why secondary education and higher education in America are not coordinated in ways that consistently promote…

Results of the "A Study of Schooling" survey indicate that the practice of tracking in secondary schools makes it difficult for schools to achieve either academic excellence or equality of educational opportunities. Tracking, furthermore, forces schools to perpetuate social and economic inequalities. Eight footnotes are appended. (IW)

There is little evidence to support the view that schools are responsible for economic problems and/or that they are the key to solving them. As long as such views remain dominant, however, American educational goals will continue to be captive to the profit motive of American industry. (JBM)

Declaring that a "national emergency" exists in American education, the author outlines "Action for Excellence" recommendations developed by the Task Force on Education for Economic Growth, of which he was chairman, and discusses accomplishments in educational reform in the state of North Carolina, where he is governor. (JBM)

Provides numerous statistics on the unequal distribution of power and wealth among men, women, and minorities of the same educational levels. Argues for (1) the teaching of skills and content that will help students control their own destinies and (2) a cooperative social environment within each classroom. Appended are 13 references. (IW)

A recent survey of Los Angeles area employers suggests that current secondary vocational education should be reformed, that employer-based skills-training programs should be created, and that more attention should be paid to the needs of small firms for workers with specialized skills. (JBM)