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

General Colin Powell was chairman of America's Promise Alliance when it was formed in nineteen ninety-seven. 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.

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

Alliance officials also announced the start of a nationwide campaign to improve graduation rates. It is to include a series 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.

翻译：

其他的研究显示全国毕业率达到百分之七十。但是专家认为，没有完成高中学业的学生实在太多了。他们估计这个数字每年超过一百万。美国承诺联盟做了这项报告。这个私人团体致力于让儿童接受到使之走向成功的教育。

克林鲍威尔将军曾是1997年美国承诺联盟成立时的主席。他参加了发行报告的星期二新闻会议。他说，研究显示，美国未来必须为领导者和劳动者的教育进行更多的努力。

教育部秘书玛格丽特.S也进行了发言。她说，政府将计划用同样的方法对各州毕业率进行考量。

联盟官员还声明国家范围内的提高毕业率行动开始了。行动包括了接下来的两年内，各州将举行的一系列会议。会议将把选举领导者，政要，学生，家长和教育官员联合到一起。他们会商讨提高美国高校学业完成率的发展计划。