The purpose of this book, a comprehensive summary of the educational studies of the late 1970s and early 1980s, is to make the thinking and conclusions of the studies conveniently accessible to those responsible for education at the local level. To that end, the book deals with 33 studies containing substantial information and advice for local action. Chapter One presents excerpts from the studies that convey the tone and the subject of current concerns about the outcomes of American education. Some cross-cultural comparisons are included. Chapter Two discusses what the different studies see as the causes of the nation's educational problems, focusing on those factors that the education community has some chance of influencing. Chapter Three summarizes the findings or recommendations of each study in turn. Chapter Four compares the recommendations of the full range of studies and identifies and discusses 11 areas of agreement (what should be taught, teaching methods, media use, evaluation and guidance, special student populations, school organization and school climate, teachers, principals, the school plant, institutions and individuals outside the school system, the improvement process). Chapter Five provides information and questions designed to help local educators (and particularly principals) find a starting point for their own improvement efforts. (RDN)