This paper discusses the relationship between education and earnings, explaining that most states still consider college preparatory courses to be electives, and the skills and content needed for further education are not typically reflected in state high school assessments. It discusses the implications of this mismatch for young people, focusing on current market returns for education; the importance of credentials as well as skills; the job market; low-end jobs; skills for success in postsecondary education; the mismatch between preparation and goals; the convergence of work and college; college-prep for the workplace; the benefits to all students of taking high-level courses regardless of their academic record prior to enrollment; equal educational opportunities; visionary school districts defying conventional wisdom and getting results; Texas and Indiana taking action to align high school graduation and postsecondary entry requirements; and a 21st-century curriculum. Recommendations for establishing a common curriculum and providing it to all schools include a focus on data; high school courses aligned to postsecondary requirements; good teachers and instruction; time and support for students to learn challenging content; and the federal government's role. (Contains 34 references.) (SM)