"Preparing America's Future" is an exciting new initiative within the Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) that clearly defines its role in supporting President George W. Bush and Secretary Rod Paige's education reform agenda and, more specifically, its contribution to preparing the 21st century workforce. This initiative is a framework that connects OVAE's activities around three key issues:

1. Preparing every American youth to complete high school and be well prepared for postsecondary education and employment.
2. Supporting community and technical colleges to fulfill their potential as an engine of education, career preparation, workforce development and economic development; and
3. Expanding adult learning to bring higher levels of literacy and English fluency to millions of underserved Americans.

Three teams-High School Excellence Team; Community and Technical Colleges Team; Adult Learning Team--have been organized and charged to develop a coherent strategy for Preparing America's Future with implications for policy and practice.

Assistant Secretary Carol D'Amico launched a series of site visits to promote President George W. Bush's "No Child Left Behind" legislation. While visiting her home state of Indiana, as well as stops in Florida and Maryland, Assistant Secretary D'Amico took time to talk with students, teachers, and legislators about the issues most important to them.