Missouri clearly faces important challenges. In 2010, Missouri ranked 37th in the nation in terms of Gross State Product per capita. This ranking is a product of historical resources, development patterns, and growth over time. In the period 1970–2007, its growth in income per capita was 41st in the nation. Without substantial changes, this is not likely to change. Its schools have not been competitive, either among the US states or internationally. And it loses skilled people to other states. The answer: improve its schools to ensure a better future.