Discusses the U.S. Department of Education's role as "America's best teacher," with the responsibility to provide national leadership and expertise on educational issues. Suggests that the department must support national education initiatives, such as the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, at the state and local level to help teachers,…

Describes the activities of the Elizabeth Street Learning Center, a kindergarten through grade-10 school in Los Angeles that emphasizes multiage classrooms, parent education, and year-round activities. The school, which serves a mainly Mexican-American population, is funded by the New American Schools Development Corporation, a private consortium…