Ever wonder how much money is gained by having a GT student successfully graduate high school and college and enter the skilled and creative workforce? Do you ever wonder how lackluster U.S. student performance translates into diminished economic growth? Recent data show the top five percent of U.S. students being ranked last in performance when compared to thirty other developed nations. This session frames education in its larger context of creating educational capital and addresses the costs of the current U.S. achievement gap. Attendees leave with a clear argument for GT advocacy efforts.