Solutions to the current problems facing the South are no longer strictly moral, legal, or ethical ones, but are to a large degree technical and economic. In 1983, concern about important public policy questions relating to or arising out of education led the Southern Education Foundation to establish a continuing conference with the overall theme of "Education in a Changing South: New Policies, Patterns and Programs." Proceedings of the first of these conferences are summarized in this report. Topics of the conference included: (1) the mediocrity of current education; (2) the role of business in education and training, with specific reference to programs in Memphis and Atlanta; (3) state government plans for partnerships in education; (4) innovative programs with Control Data Corporation and Delta Airlines; (5) the role of philanthropic foundations; (6) higher education and economic development; (7) the role of the federal government; (8) overcoming the barriers to partnerships; and (9) building consensus. A list of conference participants is included. (ALL)