May is the month for most high school and college graduations across the U.S. Commencement exercises mark a key milestone in the life of the student. For some it’s the end of their formal education, for others a marker toward the next educational or professional milestone, and for all, it’s the start of the rest of their lives. Whatever the context, graduation certainly is worth celebrating. But in the United States, graduation progressively has become more about being “done” and getting that diploma, rather than recognition of achievement and educational advancement. The term achievement has progressively become less “PC” in American lexicon, and the idea of advancing in education has become less accepted. The result is a decline in educational motivation and mobility in America. And the consequences of that decline can be significant for not only students but for our American society as a whole.