Thursday, November 13, 2008

MisEducation

Dear President-Elect Obama,

I and millions of Americans supported, volunteered, voted, and cheered for you over the past several months. Now we are asking you to do the difficult job of holding to your promises.

A crucial promise to the long-term success and sustainability of our country is the promise of education. Rich, engaging, globally competitive education. Or, at the very least, a little reading, writing, and 'rithmetic.

So let’s break for a quiz: Quick, what’s the source of America’s greatness?

Is it a tradition of market-friendly capitalism? The diligence of its people? The cornucopia of natural resources? Great presidents?

No, a fair amount of evidence suggests that the crucial factor is our school system — which, for most of our history, was the best in the world but has foundered over the last few decades. The message for Mr. Obama is that improving schools must be on the front burner.


With respect and hope. 

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