Other studies have put the national graduation rate at about 70%. But experts agree that too many students are not completing high school. They estimated the number at more than 1 million each year. The report was prepared for American's Promise Alliance. The private group aims to help children receive services they need to succeed.

其他研究表明国家高中毕业率约为70%。但是专家同意很多学生都没有完成高中学业。他们估计每年该数字超过一百万。该报告是为美国承诺联盟准备的。该私立组织的目的在于帮助儿童接受他们成功所需要的服务。

General *Colon power (Colin Powell) was chairman of America’s Promise Alliance when it was formed in 1997. He attended the press conference Tuesday where the report was released. He said studies have shown that the United States must do more to educate the leaders and work force of the future. 

1997年美国承诺联盟成立时，将军科林·鲍威尔是其主席。他参加了周二的新闻发布会，该报告也是在那次新闻发布会上发表的。他说研究结果表明美国必须做出更多从而为未来领导和工人提供教育。

Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings*also spoke. She said the government will propose that the states use the same methods when reporting graduation rates．

教育部长玛格丽特·斯佩林斯也发表了讲话。她说政府将建议每个州在报告毕业率时，使用相同的方法。

Alliance officials also announce the start of a national wide campaign to improve graduation rates．It is to include a serious of meetings to be held in every state over the next two years. The meetings will bring together elected leaders, business owners, students, parents and education officials. They will develop plans to increase the number of Americans who finish high school

该联盟的官员还声称将在全国范围内开展一次改善高中毕业率的活动。其包括在未来两年内，在每个州举行一系列的会议。这些会议将使选出的领导、企业家、学生、家长和教育官员聚集在一起。他们将制定一个计划来增加美国完成高中学业的学生数量。