The total quality movement began as a result of the desire of W. Edwards Deming, an American statistician, to permit the economic system to maintain its edge in a growing global market. The 14 points Deming listed as essential to "total quality management" have recently been adapted to the field of education. The success of the total quality movement in education begins with its relationship to key players affecting the educational system. The quality movement concentrates its efforts and energies on school governance, curriculum design, instructional practices, and student outcomes. Educational organizations throughout the country are recreating their work processes, systems of human interaction, mission statements, and their long-term visions and strategies. The Erie (Pennsylvania) Excellence Council is an example of the application of the concepts of Total Quality Management in an established quality region of 17 school districts. Another example is seen in the Center for Total Quality Schools at Pennsylvania State University, the first university-based project designed to provide teachers and administrators with the training, support, and research base needed to implement Total Quality Management. The impact of the quality movement as a driving force in school reform will be negated unless school governance, curriculum design, and instructional processes are redesigned and student outcomes are emphasized. (Contains one figure.) (SLD)