In November 1988, the sixth annual Continuing Conference of the Southern Education Foundation brought together about 140 veteran educators, civil rights advocates, and experts on federal education policymaking in an effort to candidly reexamine the role of the Federal Government in education. Discussion focused on: (1) how to return the Federal Government to its proper role; (2) the need for fundamental changes in education; (3) the obsolescence of traditional schooling; (4) challenges for urban schools; (5) how to move the Federal Government from retrenchment to activism; (6) responses from a panel of former federal education officials; (7) an approach to successful schools that emphasizes the promotion of social development of at-risk children; (8) the struggle for children's health; (9) preventive implementation as the basis of national policy on children and youth; and (10) committee recommendations redefining federal education priorities. Attendees produced a Continuing Conference Omnibus Education Act with six titles: equity and excellence programs for disadvantaged children; investment in recruitment and training of educators; early childhood education; special education and rehabilitation; school-to-work transition; and research and demonstration. Attendees, and their addresses and affiliations, are listed. (RH)