The United States educational system has a responsibility to provide adults with the necessary education to raise healthy, productive children. Learning how to be a parent does not appear to be a routine part of the growing-up process today. Therefore, in order to maximize the essential early development of children, parenthood training becomes increasingly important. People can be taught to become effective parents by teaching them about child growth and development. It is suggested that this training should take place in the secondary school since this is often the last formal education many young citizens will receive. Several existing programs which train people to become informed parents are described. Additional programs are needed through which parent education and child development services could be delivered to communities through neighborhood schools. (BRT)