A Sampling of National Guidelines Listed in the Goals 2000 Program

The Goals 2000: Educate America Act of 1994 sets national goals for the year 2000, including:

* All children in America will start school ready to learn.

* The high school graduation rate will increase to at least 90 percent.

* All students will leave grades 4, 8, and 12 having demonstrated competency over challenging subject matter including English, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, the arts, history, and geography, and every school in America will ensure that all students learn to use their minds well, so they may be prepared for responsible citizenship, further learning, and productive employment in our nation's modern economy.

* US students will be first in the world in mathematics and science achievement.

* Every adult American will be literate and will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to compete in a global economy and exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

* Every school in the United States will be free of drugs, violence, and the unauthorized presence of firearms and alcohol, and will offer a disciplined environment conducive to learning.

* The nation's teaching force will have access to programs for the continued improvement of their professional skills and the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to instruct and prepare all American students for the next century.

* Every school will promote partnerships that will increase parental involvement and participation in promoting the social, emotional, and academic growth of children.