Based on 1996 testimony by Margaret Dunkle, director of the Institute of Educational Leadership (IEL) Policy Exchange, before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth and Families, this report calls for a rethinking of the federal role for children, youth, and families, encouraging the federal government to "steer" more and "row" less. The report examines the current array of federal programs and identifies important details that often make it complicated for communities to benefit fully from federal programs and policies. It also describes promising approaches to make government more results-driven and accountable to the public, from using benchmarks or indicators to implementing the Government Performance and Results Act. Chapters of the report are: (1) "Youth Development and the IEL Policy Exchange"; (2) "What Is the Federal Role When It Comes to Children and Youth?"; (3) "First Things First-Abandoning Ship Is Not an Option"; (4) "Mostly Rowing-A Look at Current Federal Programs"--with the sections "Trickle-Down Fragmentation,""Coordination in Congress?""Results from Other Studies," and "Something for Everyone?"; (5) "The Devil Is in the Details-Eleven Questions to Ask of Every Program or Policy Affecting Children and Youth"; and (6) "Row Less, Steer More"--with the sections "Results-Driven Experiments at the Federal, State and Local Levels-A Few Examples,""Performance Measures-Risks and Rewards," and "Possible Indicators for Youth Development." Appendix listings include Economic Consequences of Preventable Problems and the Government Performance and Results Act. (EV)