This article discusses how standards-based accountability systems challenge American educators to accomplish something that has never been done in the nation's history: teaching all children to master a demanding set of skills. The challenge makes sense today because technological changes and outsourcing have left American workers who lack strong skills unable to earn a decent living. However, the magnitude of the challenge is frequently underestimated. Working harder will not by itself allow American educators to meet this challenge. Indeed, most already work so hard that burnout is a continual danger. Instead, educators need to learn how to work together more effectively.