This speech addresses school improvement issues from three perspectives. First, six shared assumptions from the recent studies and reports on the quality of American schooling are presented: (1) that the educational system must be immediately improved; (2) that quality and equity are inseparable; (3) that education is inextricably linked to larger social issues; (4) that the state, local, and federal government have important roles; (5) that schools, the private sector, and parents must work together; and (6) that control of the educational system should be decentralized. Following this, common recommendations are listed pertaining to curriculum, teachers, and management of schools. Next, views are presented on the positive influence that schools have had since 1950, including the increase in use of advanced placement tests, the increase in percentage graduating and going on to college, and the corresponding decrease in dropout rate, as well as the increase in minimum competency requirements. Change strategies in the areas of overall school improvement and academic learning time are summarized, and finally, a series of open-ended questions are posed for deliberation during the workshop. (TE)