Education Week reported on January 14, 2009 that the National Governors Association (NGA), National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), and the National Association of State Board of Education have released a new report calling for an action agenda for improving high schools. While SAT and GPA scores are important, the report notes a variety of additional 21st century skills that are necessary to succeed in higher education. Due to the growing human capital needs that also require soft skills, the report calls for a close higher education/high school standards alignment, course rigor, and investment in early-college and virtual studies. To read the full report visit: http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/0901IMPROVEHIGHSCHOOLS.PDF