For more than fifty years, the United States has led the world economically, diplomatically, and militarily. In recent decades, however, as the need for highlevel skills and knowledge has become increasingly important, America's students have fallen behind their international peers in math, science, and reading.

With increasing global competition, the United States must make sure that its students are equipped to sustain U.S. enterprise, economic and military strength, and intellectual leadership. In short, it must ensure that Americans are able to compete with peers around the globe today and in decades to come. If the United States cannot adequately educate its young people, failure will threaten its role as an international leader and its economic competitiveness, putting America's global leadership and future at risk.

Improving America's public schools cannot be considered a purely domestic concern: the country's ability to prepare students to compete globally is integrally tied to U.S. national security. This Task Force report offers concrete recommendations for education reform that refocus the country on transforming schools and school systems to ensure America's continued economic and political growth and security.