In 2000, the National Education Goals Panel examined the conditions that help ensure school success, conducting a series of four field hearings nationwide to find evidence of success and to understand why schools were succeeding. Participants at the hearings included students, teachers, parents, principals, superintendents, university presidents, business leaders, school board members, and academic researchers. The hearings focused on achieving high standards with minority and urban students and empowering educators to bring all students to high standards. Overall, they demonstrated that despite negative news about education, there are positive signs nationwide that educators and the public are creating successful schools and school systems. They showed that achieving success does not just happen, but rather takes concerted effort, over time, by many people. They also showed that reformers took quite different paths, even when they pursued common strategies. Common themes that emerged defined conditions needed for all students to learn, including: high expectations for all students; consistency over time; clear accountability; using data to drive improvement; improving teacher quality; expanding the school day and year; supporting children and families; and support from the business community. Policy implications resulting from the discussions include: overhauling leadership development; investing in high quality professional development; providing additional support for children and families; considering new management arrangements; and maintaining stable policies. (SM)