What Senator Obama Said About Education Tonight
Friday August 29, 2008
Education got several prominent mentions in Senator Barack Obama's nomination acceptance speech tonight. Here is the part where he offered the most specific vision for education during an Obama presidency:
"Now is the time to finally meet our moral obligation to provide every child a world-class education, because it will take nothing less to compete in the global economy. You know, Michelle and I are only here tonight because we were given a chance at an education. And I will not settle for an America where some kids don't have that chance. I'll invest in early childhood education. I'll recruit an army of new teachers, and pay them higher salaries and give them more support. And in exchange, I'll ask for higher standards and more accountability. And we will keep our promise to every young American -- if you commit to serving your community or our country, we will make sure you can afford a college education."What are you hoping to hear from the presidential candidates this fall when it comes to education?
Comments
I like the way candidates are always telling you what they are going to do to “fix” things. The President has no power to pass laws. That power belongs to the legislature. The President can only approve or veto legislation after it is passed. If a problem persists, then look to see why the legislature is not fixing it. The best place to address problems with education is at the state and local levels. It is not the federal government’s responsibiliy according to the Constitution.
Get involved with your local school board! It doesn’t matter how much money you pour into a system that is broken. It is the parents’ resposibilty to educate their children, not the government’s. Public education does not work without parents that are involved with their children and care what they are doing and learning.
We don’t need more socialism in education. The government is not going to do a good job micro-managing your child’s education. Money is not the answer. It helps. But, it is not the answer. We need to instill a desire to learn and a desire to succeed at being something other than a pop star! Turn off the TV! Re-arrange your priorities so that at least one parent can be home for the kids. They are your most important job until they are adults. DON’T EXPECT THE SCHOOLS TO DO IT FOR YOU!
Richard couldn’t be more on target! The only thing he left out, was a famous football or baseball player along with the “pop star” comment. The money poured into sports events could buy books to interest their children in READING….the whole key to education!!!
Richard couldn’t be more off target!
‘The President can only approve or veto legislation after it is passed’ – Who told you that? That is only one of many powers the President has. The most important power the President has is the power of influence. Most people today expect the President to also be a leader and, as such, create an agenda. Do you think Social Security, the Interstate Highway System, or NASA sprang spontaneously from the legislature? Or did Presidents like Roosevelt, Eisonhower, and Kennedy provide leadership?
‘The best place to address problems with education is at the state and local levels’ – Now there is a place where the President has no power!
‘It is not the federal government’s responsibiliy according to the Constitution’ – Now there is a statement that will get me going! I’m so tired of slackers that will ignore an obvious problem with an ‘ain’t my job’ attitude. The question isn’t who’s responsible – the question is who can help!
‘Public education does not work without parents’ – Now that’s where we all agree! But I’m not willing to allow the government – fed, state, or local – to legislate how a family raises their children. Is that what you are suggesting? Because that’s what sounds like socialism to me!
i don’t wont him to win!! we would never be with are family! So go the other person!!!
Trampingman
Mr.Price,
You are suggesting “Home Education”, or at least in favour of it.The problem is that involves “the goverment” a right citizens have given up exercising.
It will be a radical shift of perspective and imagination, and ulitmatrely goals, too often the verdict for social ills is “education”
its more educationh, better education.
Yet discourse as to what is and the purpose of this “education” is absent.
The Why of it? the what for of it, the purpose of it?
Needs be talk about, discourse.
Some on this thread like Erin will benefit from Obama’s proposals. Better education will surely help improve on spelling capabilities.
I just hope that either candidate will make good on their promises to make education a priority when they take office. We need stronger foundations for our kids. Maybe one day schools will find a way to make early childhood education more interesting and fun for young kids. Some teachers are integrating programs like k5stars (http://www.k5stars.com ) into their lesson plans to get kids interested in learning. When the candidates talk about revamping the educational system, I hope that means making technology available to all students.
Erin, pleae try a little harder to educate yourself. Neither president can do that for you. A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste!