Goals 2000: Educate America Act (P.L. 103-227) authorizes a range of initiatives for federal support of education reform. Its basic strategy is that of systemic reform guided by sets of agreed-upon educational goals and standards at each level of governance. An overview and analysis of the Act's basic provisions and authorizations is provided. Goals 2000 establishes eight National Education Goals to be accomplished by the year 2000, a National Education Goals Panel, a National Education Standards and Improvement Council, grants for the implementation of State systemic reform, waivers of requirements and regulations under designated Federal education programs, and a National Skills Standards Board. P.L. 103-227 includes other new authorities and provisions, such as: reauthorization of the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Educational Research and Improvement; a Safe Schools Act of 1994; parental information and resource centers; an educational technology effort including creation of an Office of Educational Technology; grants for "midnight basketball" leagues in disadvantaged communities; nonsmoking policies in federally supported educational institutions; and a required policy for expulsion of any student determined to have brought a weapon to school. The following issues were addressed during the consideration of Goals 2000: (1) the appropriate strategy for the reform of elementary and secondary education; (2) standards for providing students with learning opportunities; (3) unfunded federal mandates and federal control over education; and (4) conditions for success, which include maintaining broad support, providing sustained professional development, meeting technical challenges, and recognizing the importance of time in implementation. One table is included. (LMI)