The primary aim of this paper is to advance an argument for restructuring Alaska's primary school programs, a change that is considered to be urgently needed. A second purpose is to explain the elements that are part of a restructured primary school's learning program. A third purpose is to indicate primary school restructuring models currently under development in Alaska. Discussion focuses on elements of a strong early childhood program, including language development; home language as the initial language of instruction; whole language; developmental appropriateness (in the areas of curricuum, teaching strategies, social and emotional development, parent/teacher relations, and student evaluation); culturally appropriate developmental activities; community-based primary schools; and smaller class size. Appendices provide the National Association for the Education of Young Children's profiles of appropriate and inappropriate education in the primary grades, and a chart of how parent/child interaction affects student achievement. (RH)