The first page of this report sets forth starkly the imperative for states to increase substantially the numbers of postsecondary education degrees and certificates earned each year by their residents: By 2018, the United States will fall far short of the number of new college degrees needed for an emerging economy that increasingly depends on workers with postsecondary education, according to Tony Carnevale and his colleagues at the Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University. States and their economies cannot afford this projected shortfall of postsecondary-prepared workers. States need to take bold and urgent action to meet these challenges. That's why this report sets forth an ambitious, historic goal for SREB (Southern Regional Education Board) states, as individuals seek to lead the nation in improving yet another key area of education: To increase significantly the numbers of students who complete associate's and bachelor's degrees and postsecondary career certificates of value, so that 60 percent of each state's adults ages 25 to 64 will have one of these credentials by 2025. This report is a roadmap based on four overriding actions states need to take: (1) Set statewide priority and direction, with specific goals, for increasing the numbers of degrees and certificates--including raising "accountability" for system and institutional leaders and setting measures to assess credential completion, among other actions; (2) Increase access and enrollment in postsecondary education even more, by improving college "affordability", students' college "readiness", and drawing more "adults" to postsecondary study; and (3) Increase the numbers of credentials earned by students in all colleges and universities through targeted institutional actions--building campus cultures that make completion the first priority and institutionalizing a series of actions that guide students more directly to a credential. SREB's Recommended Actions for State Policy-Makers and Institutional Leaders are appended. (Lists 10 additional sources.)