U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today released the following statement regarding the ACT study "Crisis at the Core: Preparing All Students for College and Work":

"A disturbingly large number of America's young adults graduate from high school without the skills needed to succeed in college or the workforce. A recent study from the makers of the ACT found that less than 25 percent of ACT-tested high school graduates last year were prepared for college level classes in English, mathematics, and science. As a result, our young men and women are not only struggling to cope with the challenges of college but also with the demands of the 21st century global economy. African American, Hispanic, and Native American students are most at risk for graduating from high school without these skills.

"Our future economic success depends on reversing this trend. With the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act, President Bush made raising student performance and closing the achievement gap a national priority. This Administration started a Math-Science Initiative to ensure that students have the opportunity to learn mathematics and science in elementary and middle school. Without this background, students are not prepared to take the advanced mathematics and science courses in high schools that would prepare them for the 21st century workforce and/or college success.

"President Bush has now proposed additional steps to strengthen our high schools. He wants to encourage schools to use 8th grade testing data to develop performance plans for incoming high school students. No Child Left Behind already requires testing students regularly in early grades, and the President has proposed requiring states to add up to two more tests for high school students. We need to make sure a high school diploma signifies real achievement and provides a ticket to future success in either higher education or the workforce. By strengthening our high schools, we will secure the future of our country."

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