This document presents an outline of a number of social, economic, and demographic trends that influence the effectiveness of instruction and the social development of youth across the country. It contains numbers and statistics, recommendations, and implications, along with 30 references. The document covers trends in the following areas: (1) racial and ethnic diversity, including data on racial and ethnic demographics, and mobility and poverty among African American and Hispanic populations; (2) changing family patterns; (3) poverty, particularly the poverty of children; (4) homelessness, focusing on homeless children and youth, the fastest growing segment of the homeless population; (5) teen pregnancy, including recommendations for sex-education programs in schools; (6) the availability of drugs and alcohol; (7) factors that inhibit risky student behavior; and (8) demographic planning, including the use of demographic data to support educational agendas and to decide how to allocate resources. (WFA)