Across the world, nations recognise that their futures are linked to the quality of their education systems. Education economists point out that there is a value to education for both the individual and society (Hanushek, 1996). Not only does education lead to higher skills, increased salaries, and lower unemployment, but also better health, greater social participation and less dependence on social services. Given the changing expectations of knowledge-based economies, there is a greater urgency for nations to address concerns about the quality of their education systems: successful companies demand that employees at every level of the enterprise have a far greater level of knowledge and skills than at any time in the past. To be competitive in attracting and retaining businesses that will sustain productive economies in their countries, nations must develop employee workforces that are able to meet new demands. A recent study (McKinsey & Company, 2009) of the achievement gap in the United States (U.S.) suggested that if the United States had closed their achievement gap with countries like Finland and Korea by 1998, its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would be 9-16% higher than it is today. That is a greater impact than the level of the negative effect of the recent recession, which was 6.4% at the end of 2008.