"This will be the first in a series of nationwide discussions that address the possibilities and problems with achieving our ultimate goal: 55 percent of Americans holding a postsecondary degree by 2025. Education is already the currency of the 21st-century's knowledge economy, and the United States cannot afford to go bankrupt."
Gaston Caperton

"Especially in these challenging economic times, it is important that we move into the new economy while ensuring that our workforce have the skills they need to succeed and our students have the tools they need to build a better future."
Governor Martin O'Malley

"Today the U.S. ranks 12th among industrialized nations in college completion rates, and — given demographic and educational trends — is on track to fall to last place among industrialized nations by 2025. We must turn this situation around. The U.S. cannot be the leader in the world in things that matter if we aren't the leader in educating our citizens."
Brit Kirwan

"The first step in improving Maryland's college completion rate comes through providing each student with a college- and career-ready high school education. We are taking steps to further improve our number one-ranked schools by strengthening our curriculum and our instructional processes. Our students deserve nothing less."
Nancy S. Grasmick

"The only way America can remain globally competitive is by elected officials, educators, and our citizens working together to educate our youth. Anyone who has been to college understands that education transforms lives. Our fundamental challenge is to make college completion a matter of national urgency.."
Freeman Hrabowski, III

"The Maryland legislature is an outstanding example of how state legislators are working hard to design effective policies and strategies all along the P–20 education spectrum that can significantly improve our education outcomes."
Julie Bell