There's no question that our current educational system is failing our students.
The statistics are staggering: among 30 developed countries, the U.S. is ranked 25th in math and 21st in science. It's estimated that by the year 2020, there will be 123 million high-paying, high-skill jobs in the United States, but only 50 million Americans will be qualified to fill these positions.
Right now, what a student learns in one state might be totally different than a student will learn in another state. This puts countless students at a real competitive disadvantage. Furthermore, far too many of our students aren't given the tools or the knowledge they need to one day compete in the global economy. To address this critical problem, we must set higher education standards and help all kids meet them.
The good news is these standards exist. The nation's governors and school leaders have developed the Common Core State Standards Initiative which would ensure all students from kindergarten through 12th grade are taught using a world-class curriculum. Write your governor to demand that these standards are implemented in your state.
You can also help students reach these standards by tutoring, volunteering at your local school, or being a mentor.
We need to better prepare today's generation of students starting NOW. Our future depends on it.
