"I want the Department to become an engine of innovation, not a compliance monitor," said Secretary Duncan. "We are looking to you - the districts and nonprofits - to unleash your creativity and build the next generation of education reform."

According to research conducted by ACT, currently, -- Fewer than 20 percent of 8th-grade students are on target for being college ready in all four core subject areas of English, math, reading, and science. -- Only 70 percent of ACT-tested 2009 high school graduates took a core curriculum. -- Only 23 percent of ACT-tested 2009 high school graduates were college ready in all four core subject areas of English, math, reading, and science.

"We are committed to ensuring that all students are college and career ready in achievement, psychosocial behavior, and career and educational planning," said Erickson. "Rigor & Readiness will also create and advance school change, and build and support high-achieving, self-sustaining schools within scalable, replicable systems.