This guide is designed for companies that are working to strengthen schools. It is meant to help state and local business leaders become more effective advocates for building and sustaining the necessary community support for rigorous assessments of student achievement. The ultimate goal of educational improvement efforts must be to improve student achievement, and not just to set standards. The guide contains options for helping build public awareness of and support for rigorous assessments (chapter 2), as well as advice form business leaders in several states who have helped build and sustain support for new assessments (chapter 3). Some of the issues and debates surrounding tough new assessments are reviewed in chapter 4. Appendixes A and B contain explanations of different types of tests and how they are used, with a sample communications plan. Appendix C contains resources for learning more about standards, assessments, and building public engagement around higher student achievement. An attached diagram shows nine components of a successful education system. (SLD)