This volume contains 21 papers commissioned by the Indian Nations at Risk Task Force, the first of which is an introduction that outlines the work of the Task Force and summarizes issues discussed at 7 regional hearings. Based on testimony and written materials submitted to the Task Force by hundreds of educational practitioners and concerned citizens, the papers provide in-depth analyses of current conditions in Native education and set forth rationale, plans, and strategies for the improvement of American Indian and Alaska Native education. The focus is on action to ensure high quality academic programs delivered in a Native cultural context. The topics of the 20 papers that follow the introduction are: current conditions in American Indian and Alaska Native communities; current demographics and trends in Native American education; responsibilities and roles of governments and Native people in Native education; funding and resources; Native and non-Native teachers and administrators for schools serving Native students; continuous evaluation of Native education programs; early childhood education in Native communities; plans for dropout prevention and special school support services; improving parent participation; incorporating Native languages and culture into the curriculum; strategic plans for the use of modern technologies in Native education; curricula for reading and language arts, mathematics and science, and history and social studies; gifted and talented Native students; Native Americans with disabilities; Native higher education; tribal colleges; adult literacy and vocational and technical education; and a concluding prospectus on change and development for Native education. (SV)