Investment in Education Matters

Happy new year.

Here's a really fascinating -- and frightening -- piece from former Labor Secretary Robert Reich on why we need investment in education in America. Here's the excerpt:

Over the long term, the only way we’re going to raise wages, grow the economy, and improve American competitiveness is by investing in our people — especially their educations.

You’ve probably seen the reports. American students rank low on international standards of educational performance. Too many of ours schools are failing. Too few young people who are qualified for college or post-secondary education have the opportunity.

I’m not one of those who thinks the only way to fix what’s wrong with American education is to throw more money at it. We also need to do it much better. Teacher performance has to be squarely on the table. We should experiment with vouchers whose worth is inversely related to family income.

But more resources are a pre-requisite for any major reform.

Nobel Laureate and Economist James Heckman makes the case here as well -- it's a must-see website.

This is a growing area of interest that crosses party lines. And if leaders like Heckman and Reich are to be believed, there's not a moment to lose.