This issue paper summarizes key program elements in the Goals 2000: Educate America Act (P.L. 103-227), signed into law on March 31, 1994. The legislation, designed to codify the eight National Education Goals, authorizes funds for K-12 school improvement and establishes a framework to encourage state and local educational agencies to develop comprehensive plans to integrate and implement federal education programs. The goals focus on: (1)improving student learning by establishing objectives for students and schools; (2) encouraging states and local school districts to adopt rigorous standards for their education systems; (3) improving the quality of teaching in K-12 schools; (4) identifying common standards or benchmarks for student achievement; (5) and reaffirming the National Education Goals as federal policy. The main purpose of this report is to advise deans and directors of departments, schools, and colleges of education of the challenges and opportunities in the new law. The report includes: a description of the goals, including proposed authorization for each of its parts, a close-up examination of Goal 4--Teacher Education and Professional Development, and a timeline for implementation. (LL)