Education is the foundation of opportunity. A strong education system provides Americans from across the country the knowledge and training they need to be the successful leaders and innovators of tomorrow. But, despite their promises, Republicans have not given schools, students or teachers the resources they need.


This year, the Bush Administration provided $9.4 billion less than promised in the No Child Left Behind Act - demanding schools improve without giving them the funds they need to do so. This shortfall leaves 2.4 million children without needed help in reading and math and cuts teacher quality programs by $234 million. Federal Pell Grants have been frozen and funding slashed for Perkins Loans, lessening two major sources of badly needed financial aid at a time when tuition costs are skyrocketing. That's why Democrats in Congress developed plans to make quality education accessible and affordable to every American.

The average public school is 42 years old. (National Education Association)