This bimonthly newsletter provides information about the progress of the Honor States Grant Program, a governor-led effort to improve college- and work-ready graduation rates. This issue explores strategies that governors and state policymakers are using to define and assess college and work readiness, Progress of three states in assessment is highlighted. Suggested resources for policymakers are included. Contents include: (1) Facts at a Glance; (2) Rising to the Challenge: Michigan, Maine, and California Align Assessments to Promote Readiness; (3) A Bird's-Eye View: Assessing Readiness Across the States; (4) Leading the Charge: Professor Michael Kirst, Blogging for Change: Seamless Transitions for all High School Students; (5) Federal Update: Innovation America: A Partnership; (6) Resource Box; (7) Foundation Corner: The James Irvine Foundation, The Lumina Foundation, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; (8) Articulating the Message: State Communications Plans Bring Awareness to Readiness; and (9) What's Next? How States Can Seal the Education Pipeline between the K-12 and Postsecondary Education Systems. (Contains 2 footnotes.)