WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama delivered his third State of the Union Address to the nation before a joint session of Congress. NEA President Dennis Van Roekel praised the president's vision and his roadmap to put more Americans back to work, rebuild the economy and help middle class families get back on their feet. The president again pledged to continue making education a top domestic priority in his administration.
"President Obama's bold vision offers both hope and help to Americans," said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. "He has an ambitious plan to lead the country and provide more hope for middle class families. He understands that investing in education now and opening opportunities to all students are fundamental to the long-term economic well-being of our children and our nation."
The president's remarks come at a time when policymakers in Washington, D.C. and in many state capitols are sharply divided and pushing starkly different visions of the path to economic recovery and prosperity. In many cases, politicians are balancing their budgets on the backs of students and educators for the sake of scoring political points.
Case in point: In Pennsylvania, Chester Upland School District officials recently told educators that there wouldn't be enough money to pay them. Teachers and support staff agreed to continue working as long as they were personally able to make ends meet. President Obama acknowledged the ongoing situation in this school district and invited Sara C. Ferguson, an elementary math and literary teacher, to attend the State of the Union address.
"President Obama understands what's at stake in communities across the country," continued Van Roekel. "Americans like Sara Ferguson, a third generation educator, are counting on the president to finish the job they elected him to do almost four years ago-to make the tough choices and, more importantly, the right decisions to tackle the big issues and get Americans back to work. He is willing to lead the country in rebuilding an economy that rewards hard work and works for all Americans-not just a chosen few."
"We appreciate the president's call to support teachers and to stop teaching to the test," said Van Roekel. "Teachers and educators are eager to work with the Obama administration on ideas to strengthen the profession of teaching and help all students succeed."
The president's plan builds on his recent accomplishments such as ending subsidies for big banks and using the savings to help more students afford college, helping three million more students pay for college with Pell Grants, prioritizing resources for our schools, and increasing job-training opportunities for long-term unemployed and veterans. His plan also leverages the traditional role that the federal government has had in promoting a more prosperous and equitable society and on making sure families don't fall through the cracks.
"We welcome the president's efforts to put opportunity within reach of more Americans by strengthening and building the capacity of higher education and career and technical education so students can find good jobs and pursue their dreams. NEA is committed to the success of all students and ensuring that education remains the engine that moves America forward. We look forward to working with President Obama and Congress to enact an agenda as bold as the challenges facing Americans," concluded Van Roekel.
Source: National Education Association
