Obama’s Proposals for Education Reform

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On February 12^th, President Obama delivered his annual State of the Union address. Education was featured prominently, and focused on three key policies:

1. Redesign the country’s high schools to focus more on science, technology, engineering and math, so as to better equip graduates for work in a high-tech economy;
2. Condition federal funding for universities on their affordability and value, and establish a “College Scorecard” that compares universities in terms of whether they provide good value for their costs;
3. Make high-quality preschool available to every child.

The president’s proposal on pre-school education has received more attention and comment than the others, including the following:

• “Obama’s Preschool Plan.” February 20, 2013. By Grover J. “Russ” Whitehurst, The Brown Center Chalkboard.
• “If You Want to Criticize the President’s Pre-K Plan, You Should Know What You’re Talking About First.” February 19, 2013. By Sara Mead, Education Week
• “President Obama’s Plan for Universal Preschool.” February 18, 2012. The Diane Rehm Show. 
• “When Families Fail.” February 14, 2012. By David Brooks, New York Times.