In July, 1989, the New York State Board of Regents approved this policy paper, with recommended actions to be accomplished during the next 5 years for the following policies: (1) existing resources will be better coordinated and used for at-risk youth; (2) at least 50 percent of any new state resources for elementary and secondary education will be used to help schools meet these students' needs; (3) educational programs, services, and staff must respect and represent the cultural, racial, social, economic, and language background of the students served; and (4) schools, school districts, students, and the state education department will be held accountable for the achievement of at-risk youth. The Regents will pursue the recommended actions through their legislative program, their State Aid to the Schools proposal, and state operating and local assistance funds. While this policy paper cannot resolve all issues affecting at-risk individuals, it is intended to address the needs of a majority of these youth. All students shall complete a quality secondary school program and successfully assume roles as self-sufficient adults in society. No performance gap attibutable to the instructional program should exist between any socioeconomic or racial subgroups. Equity and excellence must guide New York State's school mission for all pupils. Rather than emphasize remedial programs, recommendations attempt to address students' developmental needs and focus on early childhood programs, alternative high school completion approaches, and effective procedures for identifying and assessing at-risk students. (MLH)