http://www.ed.gov/blog/2014/01/the-road-to-opportunity-education-and-the-state-of-the-union/
On Tuesday, during President Obama’s fifth State of the Union address, he reinforced the message that education plays an important role in our country. The President began his speech by noting the critical part that educators play: “Today in America, a teacher spent extra time with a student who needed it, and did her part to lift America’s graduation rate to its highest level in more than three decades.” President Obama laid out his top priorities, rooted in three key principles: opportunity, action, and optimism. Among the education topics discussed, the President recommitted to making high-quality preschool available to every 4-year-old, connecting 99 percent of students to high-speed broadband over the next four years, redesigning high schools to offer more real-world education and hands-on training, and increasing college opportunity and success.
"The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called 'truth'." (Dan Rather) The teacher can only do so much, if the student isn't willing. Initially a student must show some sort of drive or determination to succeed; for a teacher to water them as if they were a plant. "I mean you can lead a horse to the lake, but you can't force him to drink." America is filled with opprotunist some who don't value the vital impact of education on a child's mind. President Obama in his State of the Union address talked about the drop out rate of students. Wouldn't we solve this problem by raising the age to drop-out? Are students conscienece enough to make a life changing decision at the age of 16? When is the right age to set yourself up for failure by dropping out?
Kentucky passed a law earlier this year that increases the dropout age from 16 to 18 statewide, after 55 percent of the state’s 173 school districts signed on. Kentucky gave $10,000 in incentives to the first 96 districts that adopted the higher age policy. In his 2012 State of the Union address, President Barack Obama urged every state that hadn’t already done so to require students to stay in high school until they graduate or turn 18. About a quarter of U.S. public school students never obtain a regular high school diploma.
“When students are not allowed to drop out, they do better,” the president said."The bottom line is, Michelle and I want every child to have the same chance this country gave us. But we know our opportunity agenda won’t be complete and too many young people entering the workforce today will see the American Dream as an empty promise unless we do more to make sure our economy honors the dignity of work, and hard work pays off for every single American."(Obama) I just want someone to put their foot down. Education is important so why don't we help our children in America succeed by not letting drop-out at 16. What will it take for us to control the whirl wind of problems America has? Why is it so hard for us to change laws? "Does America the home of the brave still fear change?"
