In response to the demands of the changing economy and the business community's need for better-educated, more highly skilled workers, the U.S. Department of Education, through the Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE), developed the State Scholars Initiative (SSI), which encourages students to take a rigorous course of study in high school and engages the business community in this endeavor. SSI is grounded in research indicating that taking rigorous courses in high school is one of the greatest predictors of students' postsecondary success. In fact, a national study that tracked the progress of 8th grade students from 1988 through 2000 found that "the academic intensity of their high school curriculum counted more than anything else in their precollegiate history in providing momentum toward completing a bachelor's degree." But rigorous courses are not just important for college: research shows they're also critical for career success, even for students who don't go to college. This report details what has been learned from the experiences of SSI's business-education partnerships and school districts. First, this report provides data on the impact that an SSI-type initiative can have on students, schools, and districts. Second, it offers a roadmap for future leaders who are designing programs that leverage the input of the business community to promote a rigorous high school curriculum, including innovative ideas, lessons learned, and promising practices. (Contains 4 endnotes.)