During the author's travels all over the United States speaking to a wide variety of audiences, and his visits with leadership groups in the Middle East and Far East, he has encountered diverse audiences who share his concern that the majority of students are leaving high school without the skills that matter most--even in those school districts that score well on Advanced Placement exams and state tests. As he considers the essential steps to overcome the global achievement gap, he begins by examining what communities can do to create a higher level of accountability for schools and districts--beyond standardized test scores. The story of how the 70,000-student Virginia Beach City, Virginia, Public Schools set about transforming teaching and learning offers a powerful example of a school system ensuring all students graduate from high school with the skills they need to succeed. The author touts the school district's strategy for ensuring college, career, and citizenship readiness.