This book examines issues and questions surrounding student achievement, combining research with practice to present an overview of current efforts to foster student learning in the United States at local, state, and national levels. Following the preface and introduction, which stress the importance of focusing on students, chapter 1 examines the various factors in defining achievement. An informal survey of school administrators indicates that most view achievement as a multidimensional, continuous, and holistic reflection of the child. Chapter 2 offers guidelines to actualize achievement, which involve energizing teaching, meeting the needs of disadvantaged children, and setting high expectations. The Transition School Project in Spokane, Washington, is set forth as an example of an effective achievement program. The third chapter examines factors that stifle achievement and focuses on stimulating student motivation. Examples of state and national level efforts are described in chapter 4. The fifth chapter discusses alternative ways to measure student achievement, and chapter 6 outlines the importance of leadership in reaching teachers, staff, and parents. A glossary is included. (Contains 48 references.) (LMI)