For the past 2 years, the Regional Laboratory for Educational Improvement of the Northeast and Islands has produced issue synopses for distribution to policymakers in New England, New York, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The purpose of these publications is to acquaint policy makers and their staffs with the major educational issues their colleagues in neighboring states or islands have been acting upon. This synopsis is divided into two sections. The first provides a brief overview of the major issues confronting most of the jurisdictions in the region as well as actions that have been or will be undertaken to address those issues. The major issues covered in the overview include (1) at-risk youth; (2) teacher development; (3) drug, sex, and health education; (4) school improvement; (5) early childhood education; (6) accountability; (7) certification; (8) school finance; and (9) teacher supply and demand. The second section, organized alphabetically by topical area, presents more specific information on action taken by states or islands regarding a particular issue from September 1986 through August 1987. (TE)