American educators can learn a great deal from monitoring the educational changes taking place in England as the British model for a national curriculum is put into practice. This curriculum, mandated by the Education Reform Act of 1988, is being phased into the schools on a multi-year schedule, with complete implementation scheduled for 1995. The curricular areas of science, math and English were designated as core subjects, to constitute the major focus of instruction in the first 6 years of school. The term "foundation subjects" refers to the three core subjects as well as geography, history, technology, art, music, physical education, and modern foreign languages. While each of the foundation subjects is mandated, the method of instruction is not, and it is further recognized that a complete curriculum will go beyond the designated foundation subjects to include other areas. Each of the foundation subjects is articulated in the national curriculum in a series of Attainment Targets (broad objectives), and each Attainment Target is divided into 10 levels of attainment. Each of these is in turn defined by a series of statements of attainment, as demonstrated in examples from the Reading Attainment Target. The National Curriculum Council has provided both in-service guidelines and specialists in curricular change to the schools. After initial apprehension, teachers' informal reaction thus far seems to be one of relief. (SR)