While the GOP candidates compete for the nomination, President Barack Obama has already implemented several education incentives. Obama believes that creating “a world-class education is the single most important factor in determining not just whether our kids can compete for the best jobs but whether America can out-compete countries around the world.”
Due to globalization, the world is becoming increasingly more interconnected. As a result, Obama has made it apparent that he believes it is essential to not only strive to increase America’s ability to compete globally, but to take a stand as an economic and educational leader in the world. It is important to understand not only how Obama plans to address this issue in the upcoming election, but also look at the progress he has made during his first term in office.
By providing our children with a high quality education, Obama plans to move America into the 21st century and compete globally. In order to accomplish this feat, he has implementing several education incentives.
Race to the Top: This incentive provides grants to assist states in developing new and innovative approaches to education, from early learning centers to high schools. It focuses on challenging schools to raise standards and prepare students for success.
Educate to Innovate:As America begins falling behind other countries with regards to science and math standards, Obama designed this program to combat this problem. The goal of this campaign is to “improve the participation and performance of America’s students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.”
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: The goal of this act includes supporting Head Start, Early Head Start, child care, programs of children with special needs, and providing jobs at the same time. This program has invested in elementary and secondary education institutions in order to provide relief for struggling state education systems.
Not only does Obama believe these incentives will help reform America’s education system, he also wants to support state and local reform efforts. Obama wants “to help states, districts and schools that are ready to move forward with education reform.” In providing relief to states and localities, Obama beliefs this will “unleash energy to improve our schools at the local level.” This relief is essential to allow our education system the opportunity to be innovated in the face of a rapidly changing world.
Budget cuts in Pennsylvania have made the desire for federal assistance in education more a reality. The relief provided by Obama may be essential to maintaining the current education system in Pennsylvania. According to the Recovery Act in Pennsylvaniawebsite, the federal government has provided $33.8 million dollars in recovery funds to the PA education system. Without these funds, the recent budget cuts by Governor Corbett may have been more devastating to schools.
Obama’s administration has also dedicated time to overhauling the student loan program in an attempt to make loans more available to young people. Another area Obama would like to address is teacher accountability. By holding teachers accountable for the learning in their classroom, he believes students will have access to the most experienced and qualified teachers. He sees teachers as one of our nation’s most important resources in preparing students for success.
Do you believe Obama’s progress and intended goals for the next election will help him win reelection?
(2012). The White House. http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/education
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