The document initially describes Part 1 of a two-part National Association of Secondary School Principals article, "Geographic Literacy: Essential in a Global Age," published in September 1986, and written to inform educational decision-makers about the need to institute, update, and enrich geography programs in U.S. schools. The second article, "Profile of a High School Geography Teacher," describes James Marran, a geography teacher and social studies department head at New Trier Township High School in Winnetka, Ill. He is the only secondary school teacher appointed to the Geographic Education National Implementation Project (GENIP) seven-person steering committee. Creative, up-to-date assignments developed by Marran are described. The remainder of the report is devoted to 13 examples of specific geography courses and across-the-curriculum components cited in 13 national, state, district, and local school programs. A description of each institution and of each geography program are given. (APG)