This installment reporting on the 47th Annual PDK/Gallup Poll of American's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools focuses on American's views of the value of a high school and a college education and the affordability of college. It is the first year the poll included enough respondents to be able to break out sentiments of specific demographic groups. Less than half (48%) of all Americans said a college education today is "very important," an additional 41% said it is fairly important. A majority of blacks (66%) and Hispanics (61%) said a college education is "very important" today, while only 44% of whites said it is very important. Although about four in 10 parents surveyed said it is not very likely or not at all likely that they will be able to pay for college for their oldest child, three-quarters agree or strongly agree that their child plans to attend college. U.S. adults believe that attending college can make a difference in preparing young adults for the world of work. While only 16% agree or strongly agree that today's high school graduate is ready for the workforce, 51% agree or strongly agree that today's college graduate is ready. [Included within this article is a sidebar by Joshua P. Starr entitled "The Future Is about More Than College."