Illinois is considering various approaches to school/business partnerships that will alleviate some of the problems facing America today, especially the need for an educated, trainable, and flexible workforce able to satisfy the demands of a radically altered economic environment. Widespread functional illiteracy, retraining needs, and school-to-work transition are among the issues to which private industry can make important contributions. The paper offers the following policy options for consideration: (1) curriculum reform to reflect modern private sector technologies, practices, and standards; (2) expanded work-study programs wherein students receive both academic credit and competitive wages; (3) career exploration; (4) school/business compacts with incentives and measurable goals; (5) business-run classes; (6) business-created schools; (7) adopt-a-school programs wherein businesses make financial commitments; (8) attracting and retaining good teachers by guaranteeing two or three months of summer employment with local businesses and industries; (9) providing teachers by bringing experts and specialists into schools at business' expense; (10) business-run teacher institutes; (11) business internship for teachers; (12) evaluating and providing counsel on current school programs and practices; and (13) state action and planning to develop viable school/business partnerships. (LHW)