Will Obama Make Education Top Priority?

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

12 Nov 2008 01:23 PM

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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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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jonesx6 (1605) 12 Nov 2008 08:39 PM

In my opinion, I think Mr. Obama won't be able to focus that much time on education. The economy seems to be center stage. I guess time will tell. Laura

Valorie Delp (49083) 13 Nov 2008 03:50 AM

But by dealing with the economy, you are dealing with education. The two really go hand in hand and although it's indirectly. . .it is still a huge effect.

Samual (10782) 13 Nov 2008 07:08 AM

I agree with valorie, I mean, just look at where the money that goes into education comes from.

Andilei (70) 13 Nov 2008 11:28 AM

My question is, where is going to get the money to reform the education department? He says he is going to cut taxes for the middle class but he also promising to put more money towards other things. Seems to me like he may be promising more than he can give.

Mary Ann Romans (25639) 13 Nov 2008 01:25 PM

I agree that an improvement in the economy will mean an improvement in education, but we still have a long way to go. Perhaps that extra money will come from bringing government down to size and making cuts elsewhere?

Valorie Delp (49083) 13 Nov 2008 02:54 PM

Well, in theory if we work on foreclosures that right there will help education bc property taxes to towards schooling. At least that's the theory. ;-)

Mary Ann Romans (25639) 13 Nov 2008 06:54 PM

In our old school district we had high property taxes. Someone in the superintendents office told me it was because the other towns in the district couldn't or didn't pay their taxes, so our one town was basically carrying the school district. It is one of the reasons we had to move--high taxes and poor school district. Interesting, huh?

Pattie Hughes (7567) 13 Nov 2008 08:16 PM

Val makes a good point. Currently, there are about 4,000,000 homes in foreclosure in the US. Just for the sake of argument, say the average taxes are $5000 per year. This is a conservative estimate for many areas of the country, but a reasonable average. The lost taxes to schools in America with that many foreclosures comes to a staggering $20,000,000,000 for one year. When you do the math, the effect of the foreclosure crisis is astronomical. I heard a clip of Chris Dodd today in Congress saying this problem remains where it began, in the housing industry. If it isn't solved on the homeowner level, it doesn't matter how many billions we give to Wall Street. It affects every aspect of our society, including education.