"The most important function of government at home is to make sure that a child receives an excellent education, and that's particularly important in a world that is becoming more globalized. I'm optimistic we can achieve our objectives."
— President Bush

More than anyone, American business leaders understand that our education system must keep pace with the rising demands of the global knowledge economy. They recognize that the goal of No Child Left Behind - every child reading and doing math at grade level by 2014 - is essential to ensuring our future competitiveness and the quality of life of all Americans. By helping states and schools align educational goals with workforce needs, active, engaged business communities are making a meaningful difference in our schools.

With the help of business, the No Child Left Behind Act has laid the groundwork for a more dynamic education system. Now, more must be done for education to keep up with the demands of the global knowledge economy. Building On Results: A Blueprint for Strengthening the No Child Left Behind Act gives schools and educators additional tools to ensure that America's students succeed in the classroom today and contribute to a better-prepared, more innovative workforce in the future.

• States must develop by 2010–11 course-level academic standards for two years of English and math that will prepare high school graduates to succeed in college or the workplace. By 2012–13, states will administer assessments aligned to these standards and publicly report the extent to which all students are on track to enter college or the workplace fully prepared.

• States will add science to their assessment systems at three grade levels by 2008. The reauthorized law will incorporate an expectation that all students achieve proficiency in science by the 2019–20 school year.

• To promote academic rigor in high school Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes will be made available to more students and more teachers will be trained to lead them.

• The Administration will use the Academic Competitiveness Grants to provide further incentives for students to have access to rigorous high school coursework.

• The Adjunct Teacher Corps will offer an opportunity for talented and dedicated industry experts from outside the teaching profession to share their knowledge in middle and high school classrooms.

• To strengthen the teaching of math in elementary and middle schools, the President has proposed the Math Now program, which would provide resources to help teachers use scientifically proven practices, so that their students enter high school ready to handle challenging and advanced coursework.

• Federal Title I funds will be substantially increased to serve low-income high school students. Funding for low-income elementary and middle schools will be protected.