This guide was developed to provide assistance and direction for members of local school communities as they plan to improve instructional programs for students. Supplemented by a resource handbook, the guide is designed for teachers, parents, administrators, and support staff members in schools receiving funding through the following programs: (1) School Improvement Program; (2) State Compensatory Education Program; (3) ECIA, Chapter 1; (4) Bilingual/Bicultural Education Program; (5) Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program; (6) Miller-Unruh Reading Program; and (7) Staff Development Program. While the basic process for program planning remains the same, this guide has been changed significantly from previous planning guides and reflects the curriculum renewal effort currently under way in California. Included in the guide are four chapters which focus, sequentially, on revitalizing the elementary school program, organizing the planning process, preparing to write the school improvement plan, and writing the school improvement plan. The guide also provides a description of a generic planning process, and a description of the major features of a school improvement plan. Illustative examples of the main features of school program planning are incorporated throughout this guide. Appended materials provide school planners with a tool to use in assessing the results of their planning efforts. (RH)