Cause Magazine • Special University Supplement
IN THE NEWS
President Obama
on Education
During President Obama's resources; they need more reform. That is why this budget cre-
first address to a joint session of ates new teachers -- new incentives for teacher performance,
Congress on February 24, 2009 pathways for advancement, and rewards for success. We'll invest
he spoke about the economy, the in innovative programs that are already helping schools meet high
recovery plan and his goals for standards and close achievement gaps. And we will expand our
America as we confront our commitment to charter schools.
many challenges. Along with the financial crisis, energy, and It is our responsibility as lawmakers and as educators to make
health care, education is one of his top priorities. The President this system work, but it is the responsibility of every citizen to par-
recognizes that it is another imperiled aspect of America’s future ticipate in it. So tonight I ask every American to commit to at least
well being: one year or more of higher education or career training. This can
“In a global economy, where the most valuable skill you can be a community college or a four-year school, vocational training
sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a path- or an apprenticeship. But whatever the training may be, every
way to opportunity. It is a pre-requi- American will need to get more than
site. Right now, three-quarters of a high school diploma.
the fastest-growing occupations And dropping out of high
require more than a high school school is no longer an option. It's
diploma, and yet just over half of not just quitting on yourself; it's
our citizens have that level of educa- quitting on your country. And this
tion. We have one of the highest country needs and values the talents
high school dropout rates of any of every American.
industrialized nation, and half of That's why … we will pro-
the students who begin college vide the support necessary for all
never finish. young Americans to complete col-
This is a prescription for eco- lege and meet a new goal: By 2020,
nomic decline, because we know the America will once again have the
countries that out-teach us today will out-compete us tomorrow. highest proportion of college graduates in the world. That is a
That is why it will be the goal of this administration to ensure goal we can meet.
that every child has access to a complete and competitive educa- I know that the price of tuition is higher than ever, which is
tion, from the day they are born to the day they begin a career. why, if you are willing to volunteer in your neighborhood or give
That is a promise we have to make to the children of America. back to your community or serve your country, we will make sure
Already, we've made a historic investment in education that you can afford a higher education. And to encourage a
through the economic recovery plan. We've dramatically expand- renewed spirit of national service for this and future generations,
ed early childhood education and will continue to improve its I ask Congress to send me the bipartisan legislation [Serve
quality, because we know that the most formative learning comes America Act] that bears the name of Senator Orrin Hatch, as
in those first years of life. well as an American who has never stopped asking what he can
We've made college affordable for nearly 7 million more stu- do for his country, Senator Edward Kennedy.
dents, and we have provided the resources necessary to prevent These education policies will open the doors of opportunity
painful cuts and teacher layoffs that would set back our children's for our children, but it is up to us to ensure they walk through
progress. But we know that our schools don't just need more them…”
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