We cannot overstate how critical it is to ensure the future prosperity of America by strengthening our education system. Currently, too few students get the quality education they need and fewer still get the chance to attend college. A society is defined by it’s education system; how well it’s teachers are paid, the physical quality of schools, class size, and affordability are all metrics we can use to grade the way we’ve handled teaching our young the necessary skills to succeed.

Sadly, if we were to grade our achievement in education we would fair poorly. Our classes are too large, we teach to tests and not to skills and knowledge, we under value arts education and cut necessary programs, and worst of all we are leaving our children with crippling debt once they graduate from college.

If we are to ensure an economically strong and culturally vibrant future we must first pass the No Child Left Behind Improvement Act (HR 648) which would close serious holes in this flawed program, and make it work for our children as opposed to working against them. Secondly, significantly cut interest rates on student loans in order to ensure that our college graduates are not only well educated but set up for fiscal success as well. And finally, close the achievement gap by creating smaller class rooms that use the most innovative technology and highly accredited teachers instead of relying on standardized tests to measure scholastic acumen.

The link to HR 648: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-648
The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future http://www.nctaf.org