It is the theme of this paper that economic prosperity and public education are inseparable; yet, both are lacking in Louisiana. The lack of excellence in education is a liability for stimulating and accelerating the growth and diversification of business and industry. In particular, educational mediocrity is evidenced in the following: (1) staggering failure rates of male and black students in the first grade; and (2) low scores of high school seniors in the American College Testing Program (ACT). Recommendations for achievement improvements in these two areas are presented. The Governor-Elect, the Louisiana Legislature, and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) must develop a team approach to ensure meaningful reform of the State's public education system. Key recommendations for improvement include the following: (1) compulsory state-funded pre-schooling for 4- and 5-year olds; (2) performance pay raises for classroom teachers; (3) funding for more textbooks and libraries; (4) privatization of the State vocational and technical schools; and (5) implementation of the already mandated exit exam for graduation from high school. Four tables of statistical data on student attrition rates and ACT scores are included. (FMW)