This report summarizes a study of Americans' attitudes toward teaching, educational opportunity, and school reform. Surveys of 2,501 adults nationwide indicate that Americans unequivocally support the guarantee of free public education and consider improvement in fundamental areas of student behavior and academic performance essential. Greater percentages of the public in this survey believe that all students are capable of learning demanding academic material and that hard work pays off in higher achievement. A declining percentage of Americans believe that educational opportunities are shared equally by minorities and the poor. Americans consider ensuring a well-qualified teacher in every public school classroom, along with safe schools and parent involvement, the most important element in lifting student achievement. Most Americans agree on what qualified teachers mean to them, with the most important elements being classroom management skills, deep subject matter knowledge, and understanding of how to teach that subject and how children learn. The public believes that pairing new teachers with proven veterans is a good solution to teacher recruitment and quality challenges. They support government action to ensure a larger pool of qualified teachers, particularly for disadvantaged students. The teacher survey is appended. (SM)