Educational institutions, families, and communities are not meeting the educational needs of more than 50 percent of the students enrolled in public and private schools in the United States. In 1997, only 43 percent of high school seniors reported themselves to be in demanding "academic" programs, compared with 45 percent in "general education" and 12 percent in vocational education programs. While a high school education was sufficient for the demands faced by earlier generations, children of the 21st century will need at least 2 years of postsecondary education. To address the problems students and, consequently, society experience arising from lack of coordination between elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education, the Triple-A Program was designed to improve alignment, raise achievement, and provide more (and more rigorous) alternatives. About 18 states already have created K-16 or P-16 councils to start integrating teaching and learning across the years. Appendices include acknowledgements; a list of meetings, guests, and speakers; lists of programs to improve alignment, to improve achievement, and that provide education alternatives; a list of papers and other materials prepared for the National Commission on the High School Senior Year; and a list of notes. (RT)