A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

The Clinton-Gore Administration?s investments in education have begun to significantly improve the academic achievement of our Nation?s young people. However, as we enter the 21st century, the education agenda remains full. We must redouble our efforts to close the persistent achievement gap that puts children in low-income and minority communities several steps behind the starting line. Academic standards are in place in all 50 States; now, we must use them to strengthen curriculum, give teachers the tools and students extra time and help so that all students can meet high standards, and hold schools accountable for their results.

Our failing schools need additional incentives, assistance, and resources to turn around. If they can?t or won?t improve, we ought to close them down and give their students a fair chance at another school. As personal computers and the Internet usher in a revolution in how we obtain information, we must increase access to technology in our schools and close the digital divide that disadvantages low-income youth. In addition, we must expand after-school and summer school opportunities so that more students have access to academic and cultural enrichment. And we must keep working to reduce illegal drug use and ensure that school violence continues to decline.

Millions of students attend aging and crumbling schools built for their parents, and no end is in sight to record-setting enrollments. A sustained nationwide commitment of hundreds of billions of dollars is urgently needed to equip our classrooms for the next generation. And we must continue our national effort to reduce class sizes in the early grades, a proven route to higher student achievement.

Higher education and lifelong learning are central to our increasingly competitive economy, the most productive in history. We can no longer tolerate the gap in college-preparedness and college-going between disadvantaged youth and their peers. Moreover, we ought to expand investments in education and training by making college tuition tax-deductible (as many business investments already are) and increase Pell Grants for needy students.

We can all be proud of the strides that our Nation?s schools have made. They are preparing more children from more diverse backgrounds for a more challenging future than ever before. Reading, math, and college entrance test scores are up, and more high school graduates than ever before go immediately to college.

Yet much more needs to be done—from expanding preschool opportunities to helping families pay for college—to prepare students of all ages to navigate these changing times. With the continued commitment of State and local leaders, parents, students, teachers, and school administrators, we can build upon our investment in education and ensure the future prosperity of our Nation.

[8 Opening the Doors of Higher Education to All Americans]

[Appendix: Department of Education Budget by Major Program]