Above all else, the American creed is one of liberty and opportunity. In the 21st century, whether the topic is economic opportunity, responsible citizenship, or political engagement, the role of education is more significant than ever before. That means political and civic leaders committed to a vision of opportunity--and especially to equal opportunity--have to be serious about improving education. To help state lawmakers and executives in their efforts to pursue the kinds of education reform needed to truly deliver on the promise of an opportunity society, the authors have penned some crucial dos and don'ts for K-12, higher education, and early-childhood education reform. The hope is that this brief can share some key lessons and point to some promising ideas. A list of additional resources is provided.