After examining major concerns that have been developing in many schools and communities with regard to elective English programs, this paper notes the need for a "second generation" of English programs that will incorporate the successful features of electives yet will seek solutions to the obvious problems. It outlines a model curriculum based on providing activities related to five stages of young people's growth in English, as described by G. Robert Carlsen. Each of the stages is discussed; for each stage, possible reading and composition activities are suggested, along with topical areas on which clusters of units, topics, and electives may be based. The paper also discusses processes that may be used in developing an English curriculum based on students' interests and needs and provides a checklist of considerations for curriculum planning and design. (GW)