America's economic productivity and competitiveness are grounded in education. The public schools and the higher education institutions alike are falling behind those of other nations. This paper recommends four policy proposals that offer substantial promise for improving American education, are achievable and have low costs. These recommendations are: (1) Choosing K-12 curriculum based on evidence of effectiveness; (2) Evaluating teachers in ways that meaningfully differentiate levels of performance; (3) Accrediting online education providers so they can compete with traditional schools across district and state lines; and (4) Providing the public with information that will allow comparison of the labor market outcomes and price of individual postsecondary degree and certificate programs.