As part of a symposium on issues related to diversity and American education reform in the context of Goal 3 of the National Education Goals, this paper addresses public attitudes about languages that are different from official or national languages. It is noted that the use of a native language as the medium of instruction to rebuild historical languages among Native peoples where those languages are being lost is gaining support among Native leaders, parents, and educators for social, educational, and cultural reasons. Focus is on three educational models that the American Indian, Native Alaskan, and Native Hawaiian have experienced: the Klawock model in Alaska (Tlingit language and culture), the Lower Kuskokwim School District model (Yup'ik language and culture), and the Punana Leo Hawaiian Language Preschool and Kaiapuni Hawai'i Public Hawaiian Language Schools model. A proposal for a community-based model of education is presented that begins will local knowledge and skills as a base from which to improve schools and schooling for Native children. It is concluded that the national goals must be consistent with the goals of the nation's local schools and communities which challenging us to build a multicultural, pluralistic society. Appended are 10 National Education Goals for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Contains 10 references. (LB)