This series of three brief articles, written by the Nebraska commissioner of education, addresses schools for the future. It proceeds with two assumptions: (1) all students can learn and can learn at much higher levels than they are now doing; and (2) schools should be ready and able to teach all kids. The first article addresses, generally, the kind of schools the American school system needs but does not have. The second article, written from a Nebraskan perspective and framed in a Nebraskan context, discusses why a new generation of schools is needed and why these schools are needed as soon as possible. The third article discusses models and strategies for making needed changes. The three articles are framed around seven major operating principles that describe schools for the future, principles around which these schools should be organized. The principles are: (1) child- and family-centered; (2) learning- and learner-centered; (3) strong focus on the basics plus; (4) integrated/connected to community-based support services; (5) developmentally organized; (6) organized around learning families and teaching teams; and (7) achievement certified by demonstration. (WFA)