As a former teacher and mother to a former teacher, I know and appreciate the value of education. Historically, education has been the fundamental rung of the ladder that has enabled million of Americans, especially ethnic minorities, to lift themselves from economic or social challenges. For millions of others, education has enriched their lives and strengthened our shared values of being Americans.

Education is the key to economic and intellectual freedom. Our children and grandchildren are no longer competing against other children from Indiana,Iowa or Illinois; they are competing against children from China, Japan and India.. Given today’s global economy and daily change in technology, education is as vital as our military in protecting America’s interests domestically and internationally. Our government must not only ensure access to education for all, our government must be ever vigilant to ensure that every student has access to a quality education, starting at the elementary school level.