This report presents a plan for improving the education of minority students in the United States. Section 1 is an introduction. Section 2 presents the goals for improvement of minority education by the year 2000. Section 3 discusses why the United States needs an educational system that works for all students. Section 4 discusses the minority experience in American education. Section 5, "A Closer Look," presents profiles of each of the following minority groups: (1) Alaska Natives; (2) American Indians; (3) Black Americans; (4) Mexican Americans; and (5) Puerto Ricans. Section 6, "Why We Are Behind," discusses the myths about educating minority students, and other obstacles to a quality education. Section 7 discusses restructuring American schools to achieve quality education for all students. Section 8, "The Action Plan," covers the following aspects of the plan: (1) guidelines; (2) vision; and (3) recommended strategies for achieving quality education for minorities. Section 9 discusses the roles of family and community, and public and private responsibilities for improving the education of minority students. Section 10 discusses how to meet this challenge. Section 11 presents a proposal for a first step toward improving education. Section 12 discusses the estimated costs of achieving the goals stipulated in the plan. Section 13 presents a list of 60 related readings. Eight tables and four figures are included. The following information is appended: (1) charts of action plan roles and responsibilities; (2) definitions of ethnic group labels; (3) lists of project participants; and (4) a list of commissioned papers. (JS)