Public opinion research has investigated how educators, employers, young people and the public at large view key issues about high school preparation. Surveys and polls have explored everything from why high school students drop out to how well graduates are prepared for college and careers.

The research demonstrates that although American public high schools are doing a reasonably good job with a majority of their students, they are seriously failing a substantial minority of young people across the nation. The research indicates the size and nature of the preparation gaps and what must be done to close them. Most notably, there is an unusually strong convergence of opinion across all audiences around the need to raise requirements for high school graduation, provide more rigorous content and expect more from our high school students.

The polling data also send a clear message from young people themselves that we do them no favors if we set the bar for performance too low. Dropouts and recent graduates want to be challenged.

This section provides a sampling of key findings across a broad range of topics that can be used to add flavor to conversations, speeches and presentations and to help shape message-making and myth-breaking materials to educate key audiences about the issues.