Created by the nation's governors and business leaders in 1996, Achieve, Inc., is a bipartisan, non-profit organization that helps states raise academic standards, improve assessments and strengthen accountability to prepare all young people for postsecondary education, work and citizenship.

Achieve has helped more than half the states benchmark their academic standards, tests and accountability systems against the best examples in the U.S. and around the world. The landmark report, Ready or Not, set forth the American Diploma Project benchmarks that describe the mathematics and English skills high school graduates must have if they are to succeed in postsecondary education and high-performance jobs. Achieve works with states to incorporate these expectations in state standards and assessments for high schools. Achieve recently developed grade-level mathematics benchmarks for grades K-12.

Achieve is a voice for quality in standards-based education reform and convenes governors, CEOs and other leaders at summits to sustain support for higher standards and achievement.

In 2005, Achieve co-sponsored the National Education Summit on High Schools. Forty-five governors attended the Summit along with corporate CEOs and K–12 and postsecondary leaders. The Summit made it clear that action is needed to prepare students for the 21st century workforce. 33 states have since joined with Achieve to form the American Diploma Project Network — a coalition of states committed to aligning high school standards, assessments, graduation requirements and accountability systems with the demands of college and the workplace.

Achieve recently published Closing the Expectations Gap 2008, its third annual 50-state progress report on the alignment of high school policies with the demands of college and careers.

Achieve's board of directors is composed of six governors (three Democrats and three Republicans) and six CEOs. Funding is provided by a wide range of contributors. Staff is located in Washington, D.C.