The three two-page briefs in this packet focus on the skills needed for America's workforce and student career aspirations. "What Do We Know about America's Workforce?" provides a statistical overview of the workforce and workers today, reporting the following: (1) the number of men and women in the labor force is about equal; (2) by the time their youngest child is 3 years old, at least 60 percent of mothers have entered or returned to the labor force, although many work part-time; (3) approximately 10 percent of workers are in nontraditional staffing arrangements such as independent contractors or temporary workers; and (4) median weekly earnings for full-time wage and salary workers in 1998 were $598 for men and $456 for women. "What Skills Are Needed for the Workforce?" paints a grim picture of the skills of high school graduates and offers 13 recommendations for improving curriculum and teaching so that students gain the skills they need in the workforce. "How Do Students' Career Aspirations Compare to Labor Market Realities?" reports that students' high career aspirations and educational plans far outstrip the number of college-graduate and professional jobs that will be needed when they graduate and recommends counseling students about developing occupational skills--above high-school level but less than a bachelor's degree--that will be most needed in the next 10 years. Each of the briefs includes reference lists. (KC)