Trends in standardized test scores reveal an alarming truth: our educational system is failing our students, and America is falling behind other nations in producing competent students for a global economy. Author Dr Clarence Nixon Jr. is a professional educator and consultant to Fortune 500 companies. After seeing the trend and developing a highly successful educational non-profit to reverse it, he wrote both to challenge and inspire in business and civic arenas, together with educators and parents, to reverse the decline in student competence. The author's proven track record with t.Lab can light the way for everyone engaged with the education of American youth. As measured by standardized tests, our students' core competencies have been trending down for decades. Simultaneously, other nations' students are outperforming those of America. Unless this changes, America will suffer greatly. The several influences producing this threatening juxtaposition must be identified. The needed paradigm shift must be laid bare for parents, educators, and administrators to implement. The threatening influences must be disarmed and made to support student excellence.