Too many pupils are being failed in the basics of education which should focus on core subjects, the Tories say.
At the launch of his first policy report, party leader David Cameron signalled a back-to-basics approach.
While refusing to detail policy pledges, he said the Tories would consider making history and languages compulsory up to the age of 16.
Increased use of setting by ability was also needed, he said, to stretch the brightest and support low achievers.
Mr Cameron said the "ladder of opportunity" had been kicked away but it was his task to return it to every child.
"Our focus is rolling up the sleeves and getting stuck into what needs to be fixed"
The Conservatives wanted youngsters to be equipped with the basic skills they needed to "play a part in society", he said.
Mr Cameron said the Tories' proposals included changing the curriculum to ensure a focus on the core subjects of English, maths, science, history and modern languages.
On Monday, heads of languages at dozens of top universities called on the government to reverse a decision allowing pupils to drop language study.
The decision to make languages at 14 to 16 optional was made two years ago but the government has asked Lord Dearing to look at the decline in the subject.
"Our focus is rolling up the sleeves and getting stuck into what needs to be fixed in every school in every part of the country, to get those basics right," he said.
But the Tories also want pupils to be allowed to study a wider range of subjects at GCSE, including separate sciences, and have access to a broader range of exam types.
They also propose that setting by ability is made the norm in all secondary schools and increasingly used at primary level.
'Heavy-handed'
They want synthetic phonics introduced to help children learn to read and an end to key word marking in exams.
Shadow Education Secretary David Willetts said the Tories would reduce "heavy-handed" Ofsted inspections in early years education, create a more liberal regime for the nursery grants and consult on the diversification of childcare.
The Department for Education and Skills said standards had risen at every level since 1997.
A spokesman said: "Through our recent Education Act, we are helping schools move to the next level, building on these achievements and enabling every school to raise standards even further and help every child reach their full potential."
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