The mission and vision statements of most educational institutions usually share the same lofty goal: to prepare students academically and socially for the opportunities they will face in their future adult lives. Unfortunately, this goal is not being met, and today's generation is facing a crisis going largely unnoticed. Today's graduates appear to be the least prepared for the world outside high school than any other generation in history. As such, the author contends, it is time for the public education system to step into the twenty-first century and for educators to stop using practices, programs, and procedures that no longer meet the needs of students. Excellent examples of efforts at twenty-first century learning can be seen at Massachusetts educational system. The author discusses how these efforts hold promise for overcoming persistent educational challenges, including high school dropouts and static schools. (Contains 1 endnote.)