Renewing the American Dream: Education, the Great Equalizer

Frankie was born on the island.? I was born stateside, in Alabama, spending my childhood and adolescence on constant flights to San Juan followed by the subsequent drive to visit family in Caguas.? We now occupy offices 500 feet apart at the U.S. Department of Education.? Like so many others in and out of government, we’ve been spending countless months, weeks, days and hours thinking about how to improve public education in the United States and Puerto Rico.? As the Department’s representative on the President’s Task Force on Puerto Rico’s Status, I’ve had the opportunity and honor of engaging with island stakeholders about how to overcome the education challenges specific to Puerto Rico.

Following up on the Task Force’s Recommendation, we have been working with the White House and local stakeholders to hold a Puerto Rico Education Summit with Secretary Duncan, which will take place on Monday, October 17, 2011 in San Juan.? At the summit, we are convening education experts, stakeholders, practitioners, elected officials, as well as the business and non-profit community to discuss the importance of improving public education in Puerto Rico.? Secretary Duncan will also meet with teachers, parents, and students during his visit.? Nothing could be dearer to my heart or more important to Puerto Rico.

I’ve experienced first-hand some of the real difficulties on the island.? My grandmother’s home in Caguas was once part of a thriving neighborhood not too far from the town center.? That same street is now littered with empty, decaying homes and frequented by sex workers.? My mother loves that house (she kept it after my abuela passed away)—she and her sisters grew up there, and so did my brothers and my cousins.? Sadly, it just doesn’t feel safe anymore.? For me, like so many challenges we face in society, it all comes back to education.

Because we know the power of a great education.? We’ve known that education is the best anti-poverty program since Horace Mann best explained it in 1848: “Education then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is a great equalizer of the conditions of men—the balance wheel of the social machinery….it prevents being poor.”? And President Obama has been clear that “countries that out-educate us today will out-compete us tomorrow.”? That’s why it is our responsibility to ensure that every child in the U.S. and Puerto Rico receives a world class public education.

President Obama is giving the Department the dollars and the flexibility to help Puerto Rico and the states achieve those goals.? With programs like the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Race to the Top, Investing in Innovation, and Promise Neighborhoods, the Department has spurred innovation, and sparked a national conversation about education reform.? Still, at the end of the day, the hard work rests at the state and local level.? Principals, teachers, parents, students and communities must be vested partners in every student’s success.

Secretary Duncan says that “Education is the civil rights issue of our generation.”? He’s right.? Puerto Rico, like so many places, faces real challenges to improve its public education system.? And it is our job to ensure that no matter where you are born or where you live, you have the opportunity to get a great education.? The 450,000+ K-12 public school students in Puerto Rico are counting on it.

Eric Waldo is Deputy Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Education and Frankie Martinez-Blanco is Director of Advance at the U.S. Department of Education

Cross-posted from the White House Blog.

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Great City Schools Report Supports Passage of American Jobs Act

According to a new report released by the Council of the Great City Schools, 77 percent of major city school systems need funds for repairs, renovations, modernization and new construction to meet 21st century educational needs. The report, “Facility Needs and Costs in America's Great City Schools (www.cgcs.org under “What's New”),” states that the total facilities needs in 50 major city public school districts amount to more than $61 billion.

“Our children only get one shot at a good education. They deserve better than crumbling school buildings and half-century-old science labs. This report is further proof that America's schools critically need the funds proposed by the President in the American Jobs Act,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. “The Act will provide billions for school modernization, which will help give our children the world-class education they deserve.”

Some of the nation's largest school districts have some of the country's oldest and most overcrowded school buildings. The President's American Jobs Act plan will invest $30 billion in enhancing the condition of these schools–with $25 billion going to K-12 schools for repair, renovation and modernization. While this bill would help finance long overdue repairs, it also would create needed jobs and help put hundreds of thousands of Americans back to work.

The report released today surveyed 50 of the largest school districts in the country to determine the scope and scale of repairing and upgrading facilities. The survey determined that the school districts have substantial construction, renovation, modernization and deferred maintenance needs because of the age and size of school buildings, shifting populations, and the need to devote resources to instructional personnel to meet their core academic mission.

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Great Deals When You Buy New Cars on Finance Now

If you are one of the thousands of people thinking about changing your vehicle then you should consider buying new cars on finance. There are a number of deals available now that can make finance products a practical option for your next car purchase.

Buying a New Car

There are many reasons why people buy new cars. They may be looking for something more economical and reliable or want to upgrade their car to a more luxurious model. Whatever the reason for buying new cars you could fund your purchase with a finance deal. Buying cars on finance is very straightforward these days and there are many different types of products available on the market. This means you can shop around and find the best deal for your needs and situation.

Shopping Online

The Internet is one of the best places to find great deals on car finance products. There are a good range of different lenders operating online and offering competitive rates for buying cars on finance. If you are shopping for your finance package online then make sure you do your research. Don't provide any personal details until you have checked that you are dealing with a reputable lender. Also look for those providers that can offer good customer support including direct telephone helpdesks.

Dealer Finance

Don't forget you can buy cars on finance directly from your local dealership. There are several benefits to using dealer finance:

- Competitive Rates - dealers are now offering some of the most competitive rates on car finance products available. They are motivated by the final sale to help customers find suitable finance packages and this means they can be more flexible than banks and other lenders.

- Fast Agreement - when you buy cars on finance from dealers you can often get an answer on your application in just a few hours. This means you could choose the car you want and drive it away the same day. This is ideal for busy people who need a car as soon as possible.

- Easy Process - it is easy setting up a car finance agreement at the dealership. They will talk you through the process step-by-step and it should only take between 1 and 2 hours to sort the whole thing out.

Buying new cars on finance can be a practical way to get your next vehicle. By spreading the repayments across a longer term you will be able to afford the type of car you actually want. This gives you the opportunity to choose a car which can offer economy, reliability and little more luxury.

It is easy these days to buy cars on finance. This is an effective and straightforward way to fund the purchase of your next car. With finance you can make sure you get the right car at the right price.

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