This task force report attempted to clarify the responsibilities of Alaska's schools, identify the practices essential to effective schooling, and make recommendations to institute these practices in the state. Following an historical perspective on the role of education and Alaska schools, the report lists three kinds of school responsibilities--primary (fulfilled by the school alone), shared (fulfilled in conjunction with other agencies), and supportive (fulfilled through helping other groups that provide education)--and specifies goals appropriate to each. The authors make broad recommendations for curriculum content in kindergarten through grade twelve. From the literature, factors associated with effective schooling are identified, with special emphasis on effects of the principal's instructional leadership, class size, computer-assisted instruction, parent participation, learning time factors, and classroom organization and grouping. Specific recommendations are offered regarding the formal specification of school responsibilities, revision of the elementary school course of study, revision of high school graduation requirements, and state adoption of recommendations for effective schooling practices. Additional recommendations pertain to monitoring and reporting, inservice activities, continued effort to identify additional effective schooling practices, and evaluation and refinement of practices. Also recommended is a general implementation strategy for a two-year period. (Author/JM)