Written under the joint auspices of the Educational Excellence Network of Vanderbilt University (Tennessee) and the National Conference of State Legislatures, this book contains nine chapters, by leading educators, divided into five sections that explore the major issues in education reform. Following a foreword by John Martin and an introduction by Chester E. Finn, Jr., the book contains the following papers: (1) "Restructuring America's Schools: An Overview" (Joseph Murphy); (2) "The State Role in School Restructuring" (Michael W. Kirst); (3) "Educational Choice: Why It Is Needed and How It Will Work" (John E. Chubb and Terry M. Moe); (4) "Restructuring the Chicago Public Schools" (G. Alfred Hess, Jr.); (5) "An Urban Superintendent's Perspective on Education Reform" (Thomas W. Payzant); (6) "Designing Accountability to Help Reform" (Terry K. Peterson); (7) "Accountability and Assessment California Style" (Francie Alexander); (8) "Reform Comes Home: Policies to Encourage Parental Involvement in Children's Education" (Gene I. Maeroff); and (9) "The Changing Politics of Education Reform" (Chester E. Finn, Jr., and Theodor Rebarber). Appended is information about the authors and a list of participants in the institute at Vanderbilt University in July 1990. (MLF)