Tung Xa
Ms. Lewis
Eng 101 ' 1:00 P.M.
October 20, 2008
Reform America
Lately in the news, one of the most important topics that are talked about is the election coming up in November. Many people are still indecisive on who they are going to vote for. An article from the journal, Phi Delta Kappan, published a speech that Democrat Barack Obama give in Colorado in May 2008 discussing his plans on reforming education. He issues that “education is the currency of the Information Age ' no longer just a pathway to opportunity and success, but a prerequisite” (90). In our society, most jobs are now asking for applicants that have completed a college degree. With this requirement, there are fewer jobs offerings for those that only have a high school diploma. At the same time, the United States is experiencing high rates of high school dropouts. The United States has “one of the highest high school dropout rates of any industrialized nation in the world” (90). He states that the children of America are being “out-educate[d]” (92) by children from all over the world. Obama argues that “it’s time to lead a new era of mutual responsibility in education ' one where [America must] come together for the sake of [their] children’s success” (92). One of his goals is to fix the ‘broken promises” (92) of the No Child Left Behind law. Although, the government promises to provide every child with an education, but it failed to provide the resources needed to teachers, principals, and schools. Obama promises to “provide the funding [they promised], give [the] states the resources they need, and finally meet [the] commitment to special education” (92). His goal to fix No Child Left Behind is not the only education policy. It’s just a starting point towards changing the nation. Making reforms is not the only factor that will help the country. Obama states, “It begins with the understanding that from the moment our children step into a classroom, the single most...