This paper presents the contents of an address given by Richard W. Riley, United States Secretary of Education, on February 28, 1996, in St. Louis, Missouri, on the state of American education. Policymakers are divided on the future of public education; some want to cut or abolish it, others seek to rebuild and expand it. The paper describes current challenges to public education and outlines seven goals for improving it: (1) increase the national literacy rate; (2) support families so that they can help their children learn; (3) create safe, orderly, and disciplined schools; (4) set and achieve high standards; (5) promote educational innovation, including the use of technology and optional school choice; (6) prepare students for success in the work force; (7) sustain access to and find new ways to finance higher education; and (8) work together to find common ground to improve education. (LMI)