Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates has said he is "terrified" for our workforce of tomorrow, because our nation's youth are unprepared for today's knowledge-based economy:

• 75% of the top 50 fastest-growing jobs require education beyond high school.
  
• Only approximately 3 in 10 high school graduates are ready for college.

In Ohio, the situation is similar. Only 32% of high school students are considered college-ready after graduation, with the necessary coursework and literacy skills; only 7 in 10 graduate; and less than 3 in 10 will complete a bachelor's degree within 10 years. The statistics tell the story of a public school system in crisis:

• Lack of meaningful classroom experiences.
  High school students are simply not engaged in the coursework being offered. In a national survey of high school students, about 40% reported they were just going through the motions in their classes, and more than 30% said they never tried hard or paid attention during class.
  
• Poor student attendance.
  Student attendance is low in Ohio's high schools -- a situation that can be changed if students develop more personal relationships with teachers, and feel like their absence is noticed. Students in small schools have said "the teachers notice when you're not there, and they talk to you about it." This attention can make students feel more valued.
  
• Culture of low expectations for performance within schools and school systems.
  In general, high schools are not providing students with a learning atmosphere of high expectations, accountability, or college preparation. In a national survey, 1 in 5 recent high school graduates reported that it was "pretty easy to slide by." Nationally, only 34% of high school students take a course load preparing them for college.
  
• Significant achievement gaps across racial and socioeconomic groups, and urban and non-urban populations.
  Ohio's graduation rate is as low as the rest of the nation, but it's particularly low among African-American and Hispanic populations. In addition, only 12% of students in these populations are considered college ready; this rate is the second lowest in the nation.

By recommending successful policies that have worked in other states, speaking on panels, and contributing to task forces for change, KnowledgeWorks Foundation's policy team supports the policies and state recommendations that will transform Ohio's high schools for the better, creating lasting, systemic change.