One-fifth of children in the United States live in poverty and a third grow up undereducated. This is a waste of human resources and makes little economic sense. Business has an important stake in helping public schools prepare youth for the future. Business leaders, educators, and policy makers should provide early and sustained intervention in the lives of educationally disadvantaged children by forming coalitions of business, education, parent, and civic groups, and by encouraging and supporting higher funding from local, state, and Federal government. These coalitions should focus on achieving the following goals: (1) prevention through early intervention, particularly with preschool children and teenagers at risk; (2) restructuring the foundations of education; and (3) retention and reentry programs for dropouts and students at risk. Businesses should support local education funds and cooperate with schools to foster programs in child care, summer jobs, cooperative and vocational education, mentoring, and job placement. Descriptions of several successful programs that can be replicated in other areas, and information on where to contact each, are included. Also included is a list of officials associated with the Committee for Economic Development. (BJV)