Education First: Building America's Future. The Fifth Annual State of American Education Speech, Seattle, Washington.

Overview & Synopsis

Public education in the United States faces many challenges. Ways in which districts are meeting these challenges are discussed in this State of American Education speech given by U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley. After providing an overview of American education, with mention of reading scores, drug use, the Hispanic dropout rate, evaluating student achievement, interest in the arts, higher academic standards, gender equality, and the opportunities awaiting in public education, highlights of various issues in education are offered. These topics include the importance of early childhood development, efforts at improving national literacy, reducing class sizes in elementary schools, modernizing schools with an ambitious school construction initiative, public support for voluntary national tests, how vouchers divide and undermine public education, the fallacy of "either/or" thinking and how improved mathematics instruction can promote logical thinking, middle school as a turning point in students' lives, and the need to create new partnerships for public schools and higher education. A renewed focus on collaboration among all levels of education is urged, and examples of programs that foster interchange and equity are presented. (RJM)