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A lot of froth will be spilled over Obama's call for education "reform" in his speech tonight. The president did mention performance pay and greater support for charter schools. But he also promised to protect teachers' jobs and pay them more. The key thing to note here is that Obama is stepping out exactly no further than Randi Weingarten, the national face of the teachers' unions, has already gone. For more on Weingarten's November speech embracing these exact same reform proposals, read this. What was much more radical was Obama's "ask" to the American people on education: that they commit to one full year of education post-high school. To do less, the president implied, is practically un-American.
It is our responsibility as lawmakers and educators to make this system work. But it is the responsibility of every citizen to participate in it. And so tonight, I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be community college or a four-year school; vocational training or an apprenticeship. But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma. And dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It’s not just quitting on yourself, it’s quitting on your country – and this country needs and values the talents of every American. That is why we will provide the support necessary for you to complete college and meet a new goal: by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.This is an historic statement on the centrality of education to the American economy, and indeed, to the American character. A lot will be said about the meaning of such a statement coming from the first black president. But this is really broader than that; a full embracing, after the know-nothing Bush years, of intellectual engagement.--Dana Goldstein
