We examine the United States educational pipeline and the relationship between our nation's current educational policy, which results in the loss of substantial numbers of students from our education system, and the social and economic consequences of maintaining our current policies. Projections of changes in those moving through the educational pipeline--the supply of future workers--are compared with the demand for educated workers in the future labor force. While the educational requirements for jobs in the next decade are rising, the education and skills of those who will be in the workforce during this period are declining. If this mismatch between the high skills of future jobs and the declining education levels of the workforce is not addressed, the U.S. will likely face long-term social and economic consequences. The relationship between U.S. educational policy and its consequences is explored, and the implications for educational policy and practice, especially for community colleges, are discussed.