Summaries are presented of recent study reports on the current status of education in the United States: (1) "A Nation at Risk" (National Commission on Excellence in Education); (2) "Action for Excellence" (Education Commission of the States); (3) "Educating Americans for the 21st Century" (Commission on Precollege Education in Mathematics, Science and Technlogy); (4) "High School: A Report on Secondary Education in America" (Carnegie Foundation for Advancement of Teaching); (5) "Making the Grade" (Twentieth Century Fund Task Force on Federal and Elementary and Secondary Education Policy); (6) "A Place Called School: Prospects for the Future" (John Goodlad); and (7) "The Troubled Crusade" (Diane Ravitch). Comparisons of the recommendations made in these studies are presented. The structure of education in the state of Wisconsin is described, and state mandates on educational standards are outlined. The response of the Wisconsin State Board of Education to recommendations of the various reports on education are discussed. (JD)