Over the past 10 years, the author has spent time in hundreds of high schools reviewing data; observing classes; learning about interventions and whole-school reforms; and speaking with principals, teachers, counselors, and students. She has also been a district leader in New York City responsible for high school reform that has achieved promising results in raising the graduation rate and increasing college-going. Her experience as a funder of school improvement efforts and in government suggests lessons germane to the conversation about what the "next generation" of accountability should include to drive gains in high school graduation and college readiness. In this article, the author contends that smart, bold reform that ends failed policies and practices, and generates and fosters improvement, innovation, and invention to solve persistent problems of achievement gaps is needed. She further stresses that it is necessary to reorient systems to become systems of powerful schools. This article discusses the necessary steps.