The entry-level labor pool, consequently, contains a larger number of individuals who are poorly motivated, lacking fundamental literacy skills, and unacquainted with the responsibilities and demands of the work world. These young people are at risk of never living up to their potential or leading productive adult lives. The school reform movement provides the momentum and vehicles for attacking the problems of disconnected youth. Links forged among business, labor, and education, and policy leaders will be particularly critical to success. Disconnected youth are being brought back into the mainstream through programs jointly funded and operated by the public and private sectors. More such programs are needed across the country. Leaders in all sectors must raise the visibility of the problems, sponsor debate, and replicate successful programs. Leaders in education must provide effective early education, alternative schools, and dropout prevention programs. Schools are challenged to move education reform to a new phase that connects at-risk students more directly with adults and the larger worlds of work and culture. Business and labor leaders must provide positive first job experiences, steer dropouts back to school and into training networks; and offer their expertise in management, financing, and personnel. Policymakers are challenged to enable all of the foregoing initiatives to take place. Tables, figures, 8 notes, and 75 related readings.