The 71st Texas Legislature established several pilot programs for the 1989-90 and 1990-91 school years with the aim of improving the academic performance of and reducing the dropout rate of public school students. This report combines information about pilot programs from these 2 school years with cost surveys and descriptions of the programs. Each program is described and evaluated, and difficulties each pilot site encountered in implementing the programs are discussed. Seven pilot programs were established: prekindergarten for 3-year-olds programs, academic programs for students below grade level, high school equivalency examination programs, programs for elementary at-risk students, school-age pregnancy and parenting programs, parent involvement and parent education programs, and technology-demonstration programs. The pilot programs helped advance the State Board of Education goals established in the "Long-Range Plan for Public School Education (1986-90)." Despite difficulties implementing the programs and unsure funding, the programs successfully served substantial numbers of students, parents of students, and children of students. An appendix identifies the sites at which pilot programs were established. (JPT)