A study is documented which sought to determine changes needed in U.S. schools by examining the problems of young people whose learning is hampered by (1) schools that serve them inadequately; (2) educators' expectations that they will not succeed; (3) denial of access to special needs programs; (4) fiscal policies that limit educational services; and (5) inattention to the difficult school-to-work transition. Chapter 1, "Discrimination and Differential Treatment: The Risk to Children," addresses social discrimination of all types as well as special education access issues. Chapter 2, "Barriers to Excellence for All Children," discusses inflexibility of school structure, abuses of tracking and ability grouping, misuses of testing, narrowness of curriculum and teaching practices, limits of vocational education, lack of support services for youth, lack of early childhood programs, and lack of democratic governance. Chapter 3, "The Societal Context: A Declining Base of Support for Schools, Children, and Families," addresses the lack of financial resources for schools and the inequitable distribution of existing resources, as well as limitations of the current job market. Chapter 4, entitled "What Do I Do on Monday? Action Steps towards Excellence," leads up to the provision of 14 concluding recommendations. Appendices provide (1) a list of the members of the National Board of Inquiry which conducted the study, (2) information about public hearings that provided data for the report, and (3) a list of groups and individuals belonging to the National Coalition of Advocates for Students. (RDN)