This paper offers a background of information on children in elementary school in the 1990s and on likely trends in the near future. It focuses particularly on issues relating to students who are at risk for school failure. One section identifies various risk factors that students face when they enter school and estimates the numbers of at-risk students across the United States. Data on developments over time in demographics show that the number of students has increased and that the school-age population is becoming more racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse. Student performance is discussed including methods for measuring achievement; trends in aggregate performance, reading, writing, mathematics, science, and minority student achievement; and aggregate teacher characteristics. A description of programs and policies designed to prevent or address learning problems in elementary school grades covers Chapter 1/Title 1, Head Start, and special education. Also discussed are trends in education of at-risk students, noting that nationally this is a time of important changes in curriculum and assessment away from teaching isolated skills and drill and toward the integration of content across disciplines, problem solving, higher-order thinking skills, and holistic approaches. Included are 23 figures, 20 data tables, and 30 references. (JB)