Notes the passing of the deadline for fulfillment of the national education goals in the United States, the beginning of the year 2000, and indicates that pressures on schools to solve social problems will continue to make school reform a politically opportune and very visible issue. (SLD)

Summarizes research reports that discuss students' ignorance about U.S. government, document modest progress toward Goals 2000 objectives, suggest changing and/or limiting school boards' roles, enumerate major societal threats to children, and reveal parents' lack of knowledge about charter schools and vouchers. (MLH)

Drastic social problems challenge teachers looking to increase parental involvement in schools. Traditional strategies to involve parents, such as inviting parents to meetings and school events, do not promote genuine interaction between home and school. Instead, they separate parents and teachers. Two-way communication between home and school is…