In today’s global economy and technology embedded workplaces, it is predicted all students will need more than a high school diploma to find a job that garners a sufficient income to live on. Not all will need college degrees (though in many fields that will be the minimum to stay competitive), but community/ technical college education programs will certainly be required. As parents and community members we need to join with schools to support and guide our young students to committing themselves to the discipline and hard work required to find success in learning.
We need a president that supports education and challenges our schools to be the best. President Obama believes education is critical to creating an economy built to last, keeping America competitive and supporting the growth of the middle class.
The president’s Race to the Top initiative spurred 46 states to raise their achievement standards without cumbersome mandates like those in No Child Left Behind. President Obama’s No Child Left Behind waiver (granted to Minnesota) will free schools from top-down mandates and allow them to tailor their lesson plans to their student’s needs. The Minnesota Department of Education with our pro-education governor, Mark Dayton, is committed to strategically improving school readiness for all children in the state. Federal grant money will support this priority.
The president prevented teacher layoffs, which would have increased class sizes, and saved 400,000 jobs. He’s also urging Congress to support another 325,000 jobs to keep class sizes small and put people to work in the classroom. All of these actions and efforts are critical to improving education for Minnesota students.
It’s an important election year. There’s a lot at stake—for Minnesota and for the country. And when I think back to where we were when President Obama took office and look at where we are now, I know that Barack Obama is the right choice for Minnesota again.
Kaye Tavernier
Grand Marais
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