During his campaign, Barack Obama said that educational reform is an issue that is near to his heart, but will it be his number one priority? The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) doesn’t think so.
The president-elect of the United States of America has a huge job ahead of him. He is inheriting the leadership of a country with many issues, from war to a falling economy, inadequate health care to students who are graduating unprepared for the workforce.
The educational system is in crisis. Cuts in spending are being made all over the country by local boards of education due to lack of funds. State are cutting back on funding to public schools. In New York City, for example, Mayor Michael Bloomberg plans on cutting $566 million and 475 administrative jobs from New York City’s Department of Education.
Where does Barrack Obama stand? He lists it fifth among his priorities: Economy, energy independence, health care overhaul, tax cuts for the middle class and then health care reform. Because of this and the seriousness of the economy, WSJ believes that full attention to the issue of education may have to remain on the back burner for at least the next two years.
Obama has called for increased funding for No Chld Left Behind (NCLB), increased spending for early childhood education and a $4,000 annual tax credit for college students who perform 100 hours of community service. It may be difficult to immediately undertake measures that call for significant spending in the midst of so many economic issues, from the nearly $1 trillion deficit to and the recusing of banks, auto companies and homeowners.
To read the WSJ’s analysis of education issues early in Obama’s term, click here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122636225053515663.html
What do you think of this prediction? Will Obama address education early on, and if so how? I’d be interested in your opinion.
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