This text describes and explains the sense of uncertainty faced by educators as the millenium approaches. It highlights the many transitions taking place in all aspects of public life and education during the postmodern phase of late capitalism by using examples from the study of childhood, curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and organization of education. It also considers attempts made so far by policy makers in the western industrialized nations to come to terms with rapid cultural and social changes whilst, at the same time, trying to maintain competitive economies to meet the growing challenge of the emergent Pacific Rim nations.