Urging local leaders to prepare all students for success.

In her remarks to the 2004 National School Boards Association Conference in Orlando, Melinda Gates declared, “All students should graduate ready for college.” This notion—that all students need the high-level skills required for college—is the underpinning of the foundation's education investments. Gates urged the school board members to help their districts set high expectations and provide high-quality high schools for all students.

“ If we believe that all students can graduate college ready and that our democracy demands no less, then we need to get that message out. We need to let everyone know how important this goal is. We need to ensure that all students have access to classes that prepare them for college. And we need to make sure that students know they have this access. Young people want to be challenged—and they excel when they are. ”