This reference document attempts to provide southeastern educators with useful information for developing and implementing educational policy. Part I consists of "data profiles" that summarize major trends and implications concerning socioeconomic characteristics, student performance, financial support for education, educational staff, and reform initiatives. The analysis reaffirms the critical link between economic strength and educational excellence. While educational achievement and the economy are both improving in the Southeast, this region still has lower per capita income and a greater number of children from poor families than the other three regions. The data reveal other important variables, including (1) a "graying" of the population, (2) changes in the size and composition of public school enrollments due to economic and population shifts, (3) lower teacher salaries, (4) changing funding patterns for public education, and (5) improving student performance. Part II contains data tables and a state-by-state outline of reform initiatives. Part III comprises a source list of 25 references and a sample state data survey. (MLH)