The public education system is plagued with overlapping assessments that work against the best interests of the students. Often students have to take End of Course examinations, state mandated assessments, and only THEN can they focus on the AP tests that provide them with direct benefit.
I suggest that we look to integrate the International Baccalaureate, a part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, as the backbone to our floundering education system.
The tests are rigorous, the standards are high, and even if students aren't all able to achieve a satisfactory score under the IB review, by setting our standards as a nation higher, we will only find improvement.
President Obama, please look to plans that integrate these rigorous standards.