In order to build United States competence in world affairs a strengthening of foreign language and international studies programs is required. Few would argue that the United States should not possess an educational system which produces at least a minimal cadre of experts about other peoples and cultures. Our national security requires brainpower as well as fire power. Professionals must be educated for business and government careers who are capable of transacting negotiations on an international basis. It is no overstatement to assert that the current educational system does not produce such graduates; on a national basis only 1 of 20 high school students ever studies French or Spanish beyond the second year, and fewer than 3% of high school graduates reach any meaningful proficiency in a foreign language. As a people, United States citizens have not been conditioned or trained to believe that an awareness of the world beyond national borders is all that important. As a result, the U.S. competitive edge is being dulled. The paper provides: (1) an overview of the national scene involving international education, (2) highlights of a survey of state education agency activity, (3) a list of areas where state agencies can become positively engaged in educational improvements, and (4) a vision of a new federal agency which could be created to lend support to the states in this area. (BZ)