CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Former West Virginia Governor Bob Wise sees a crisis in American high schools, and hopes citizens and politicians take note.

Wise, who left office in 2005, is president of the Alliance for Excellent Education. The Washington, D-C, nonprofit organization seeks better high schools and strives for more graduates.

Wise says his new book - "Raising the Grade: How High School Reform Can Save Our Youth and Our Nation" - is a call to action.

Wise now works primarily in urban areas, but has noticed that the crisis affects people across the country. Every day, he says, America's education system lags further behind its competitors in the global work force and turns off high school students in the process.

Wise wrote in the book about 10 elements of a successful high school, such as rigorous coursework, personal attention given to all students, extra help for students who need it, family and community involvement, skilled teachers and more.

He describes a new federal role that focuses more resources and attention on "reinventing the American high school experience."

Wise says he feels education is a continual process and quote, "If you build us a foundation, you still need help finishing the house."