advocacy.collegeboard.org 
A well-educated population is essential to maintaining a strong democracy. However, the United States is facing an alarming education deficit that threatens our global competitiveness and economic future. In less than two decades, the U.S. education system has dropped the country's international standing from first to 21st out of 27 advanced nations in high school completion. We must take immediate action to reverse this fall from the top ranks of countries with a college-educated workforce.
The Commission on Access, Admissions & Success in Higher Education found that a "torrent of American talent and human potential entering the educational pipeline is reduced to a trickle 16 years later as it moves through the K-16 system." In short, too many students fall through the cracks as they move along the P-16 pipeline.
