High schools need to be redesigned to meet the needs of today's youth. School administrators and teachers must engage others in the community in the enhancement of the education and development of teens. This new concept of a learning experience for youth must recognize that there are multiple teachers and caring adults and resources available throughout the community that can be drawn on to strengthen the learning experience in ways that neither schools nor community agencies alone can accomplish. Small, individualized, and caring learning communities must be created to help students manage the transitions in their lives and become active learners for life. The High Schools of the Millennium Workgroup, a group within the American Youth Policy Forum, identified the following issues that are forcing communities to reassess their public education systems: student performance, standards-based reform, assessments, limited learning options, needs of urban schools, student disengagement from the learning process, the global economy, expansion of information through technology, teacher workforce, public interest, and legislative issues. The following obstacles to change are also discussed: parental expectations and community values, resource allocation, the culture of school, diversity, and governance. (Contains 37 references.) (DFR)