This statement paper articulates the National Urban League's position that public education has failed to fulfill its mission for many students in general and for black and poor students in particular. The statement reviews recent education reports, delineates the League's position on current educational issues, and suggests programmatic responses. The following are discussed: (1) the inextricability of educational excellence and equity; (2) the primary role of Federal and State governments in public education; (3) proper expenditure of school resources to achieve equity of educational results; (4) elimination of biased teaching attitudes; (5) involvement of business and industry in supporting public school education; (6) quality education and equity of educational results in areas where population shifts and demographic changes mitigate against racial desegregation; (7) curriculum reform; (8) universal, free early childhood and kindergarten education; (9) equity in competency testing; (10) quality vocational education; the necessity of leadership roles for organizations within the black community; (11) the shared accountability of governments, school systems, administrators, teachers, parents, and the black community at large; (12) increasing the pool of black, minority, and poor students who are prepared to enter and complete college; and (13) improving the quality of teaching and increasing the pool of Black teachers. (KH)