English subtitles for clip: File:The Importance of Education Reform.webm

1
00:00:00,166 --> 00:00:07,866
Speaker:
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor and my privilege on this,

2
00:00:07,867 --> 00:00:11,897
the occasion of the centennial of the National Urban League and

3
00:00:11,900 --> 00:00:16,070
the Urban League Movement to welcome the President of the

4
00:00:16,066 --> 00:00:17,496
United States.

5
00:00:17,500 --> 00:00:33,600
(Cheers and applause)

6
00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:34,800
The President:
Hello, hello, hello.

7
00:00:34,800 --> 00:00:39,400
(Cheers and applause)

8
00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:40,330
Thank you.

9
00:00:40,333 --> 00:00:43,863
(Cheers and applause)

10
00:00:43,867 --> 00:00:45,167
Thank you; thank you.

11
00:00:45,166 --> 00:00:46,736
Everybody, please have a seat.

12
00:00:46,734 --> 00:00:48,704
Have a seat.

13
00:00:48,700 --> 00:00:49,930
Take a load off.

14
00:00:49,934 --> 00:00:53,864
(Cheers and applause)

15
00:00:53,867 --> 00:00:54,937
Thank you.

16
00:00:54,934 --> 00:00:56,564
(Cheers and applause)

17
00:00:56,567 --> 00:00:57,897
Thank you so much.

18
00:00:57,900 --> 00:01:01,070
(Cheers and applause)

19
00:01:01,066 --> 00:01:03,166
Thank you; thank you
very much; thank you.

20
00:01:03,166 --> 00:01:05,166
(Cheers and applause)

21
00:01:05,166 --> 00:01:06,396
Thank you very much.

22
00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:08,270
(Cheers and applause)

23
00:01:08,266 --> 00:01:10,066
Please, please, have a seat.

24
00:01:10,066 --> 00:01:11,636
Good morning, Urban Leaguers.

25
00:01:11,633 --> 00:01:14,033
Audience:
Good morning.

26
00:01:14,033 --> 00:01:16,663
The President:
Yeah.

27
00:01:16,667 --> 00:01:21,167
It is wonderful to be
here with all of you.

28
00:01:21,166 --> 00:01:23,466
It is wonderful to be here.

29
00:01:23,467 --> 00:01:29,897
And let me begin by
congratulating Marc Morial for

30
00:01:29,900 --> 00:01:33,930
his outstanding leadership,
his great friendship.

31
00:01:33,934 --> 00:01:36,734
(Applause)

32
00:01:36,734 --> 00:01:42,734
I want to thank the entire
National Urban League on your centennial.

33
00:01:42,734 --> 00:01:48,464
From your founding, amid
the great migration,

34
00:01:48,467 --> 00:01:50,497
to the struggles of the
civil rights movement,

35
00:01:50,500 --> 00:01:54,770
to the battles of today, the
Urban League has been on the

36
00:01:54,767 --> 00:01:57,567
ground, in our communities, working quietly --

37
00:01:57,567 --> 00:02:03,037
day in, day out -- without fanfare; opening up opportunity,

38
00:02:03,033 --> 00:02:09,633
rolling back inequality, making
our union just a little more perfect.

39
00:02:09,633 --> 00:02:14,063
America is a better place
because of the Urban League.

40
00:02:14,066 --> 00:02:16,536
And I'm grateful to all
of you for the outstanding

41
00:02:16,533 --> 00:02:18,103
contributions that you've made.

42
00:02:18,100 --> 00:02:22,570
(Applause)

43
00:02:22,567 --> 00:02:28,767
The last time I spoke with
you was during your Orlando

44
00:02:28,767 --> 00:02:31,067
conference in August --

45
00:02:31,066 --> 00:02:32,666
(Applause)

46
00:02:32,667 --> 00:02:33,997
-- got Orlando in the house.

47
00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:37,500
(Laughter)

48
00:02:37,500 --> 00:02:44,970
Orlando conference
back in August of 2008.

49
00:02:44,967 --> 00:02:47,237
I didn't have any
gray hair back then.

50
00:02:47,233 --> 00:02:52,933
(Laughter)

51
00:02:52,934 --> 00:02:54,234
Say that's all right?

52
00:02:54,233 --> 00:03:06,933
(Laughter and applause)

53
00:03:06,934 --> 00:03:15,004
But I want to remind you what
things were like in August of 2008.

54
00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:19,970
Our economy was in freefall.

55
00:03:19,967 --> 00:03:26,567
We had just seen seven
straight months of job loss.

56
00:03:26,567 --> 00:03:31,767
Foreclosures were
sweeping the nation.

57
00:03:31,767 --> 00:03:36,567
And we were on the verge of a
financial crisis that threatened

58
00:03:36,567 --> 00:03:43,497
to plunge our economy into
a second Great Depression.

59
00:03:43,500 --> 00:03:47,630
So, from the moment
I took office,

60
00:03:47,633 --> 00:03:55,863
we had to act immediately
to prevent an even greater catastrophe.

61
00:03:55,867 --> 00:04:02,367
And I knew that not everything
we did would be popular.

62
00:04:02,367 --> 00:04:05,937
Sometimes when we do
things, the scribes,

63
00:04:05,934 --> 00:04:08,004
the pundits here in Washington,
they act surprised.

64
00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:11,900
They say, why would you do such
a thing, it doesn't poll well.

65
00:04:11,900 --> 00:04:14,730
And I have to explain to them
I've got my own pollsters.

66
00:04:14,734 --> 00:04:17,904
(Laughter and applause)

67
00:04:17,900 --> 00:04:21,730
But I wasn't elected just
to do what's popular;

68
00:04:21,734 --> 00:04:24,134
I was elected do what was right.

69
00:04:24,133 --> 00:04:25,533
That's what you
supported me for.

70
00:04:25,533 --> 00:04:33,163
(Applause)

71
00:04:33,166 --> 00:04:38,496
And because of what we
did, America, as a whole,

72
00:04:38,500 --> 00:04:41,400
is in a different place today.

73
00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:45,430
Our economy is growing,
instead of shrinking.

74
00:04:45,433 --> 00:04:48,233
Our private sector has been
adding jobs for six straight

75
00:04:48,233 --> 00:04:50,833
months, instead of losing them.

76
00:04:50,834 --> 00:04:56,264
(Applause)

77
00:04:56,266 --> 00:05:00,866
Yesterday a report was put out
by two prominent economists --

78
00:05:00,867 --> 00:05:03,997
one of them John
McCain's old economist --

79
00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:07,370
that said if we hadn't taken
the actions that we took,

80
00:05:07,367 --> 00:05:13,667
we would have had an additional
8 million people lose their jobs.

81
00:05:13,667 --> 00:05:17,197
Now, that doesn't mean that
we're out of the woods yet.

82
00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:22,230
Every sector of our economy
was shaking by the crisis;

83
00:05:22,233 --> 00:05:26,463
every demographic
group felt its impact.

84
00:05:26,467 --> 00:05:32,037
And as has been true in the wake
of other recent recessions,

85
00:05:32,033 --> 00:05:36,103
this one had an especially
brutal impact on minority

86
00:05:36,100 --> 00:05:41,300
communities -- communities that were already struggling long

87
00:05:41,300 --> 00:05:46,270
before the financial crisis hit.

88
00:05:46,266 --> 00:05:48,496
The African American
unemployment rate was already

89
00:05:48,500 --> 00:05:54,430
much higher, the incomes and
wealth of African American

90
00:05:54,433 --> 00:05:57,863
families already lower.

91
00:05:57,867 --> 00:06:01,697
There was less of a cushion.

92
00:06:01,700 --> 00:06:04,300
Many minority communities -- whether in big cities or rural

93
00:06:04,300 --> 00:06:11,130
towns -- had seen businesses and
opportunities vanish for years,

94
00:06:11,133 --> 00:06:15,463
stores boarded up, young people
hanging out on the street

95
00:06:15,467 --> 00:06:20,667
corners without
prospects for the future.

96
00:06:20,667 --> 00:06:26,797
So when we came in to office, we
focused not just on rescuing our

97
00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:32,630
economy in the short run, but
rebuilding our economy for the

98
00:06:32,633 --> 00:06:39,563
long run -- creating an economy that lifts up all Americans.

99
00:06:39,567 --> 00:06:41,097
(Applause)

100
00:06:41,100 --> 00:06:45,730
Not just some, but all.

101
00:06:45,734 --> 00:06:48,764
That's why we passed health
insurance reform that will give

102
00:06:48,767 --> 00:06:50,167
every American --

103
00:06:50,166 --> 00:06:52,766
(Applause)

104
00:06:52,767 --> 00:06:56,697
-- more choices, more control over their health care;

105
00:06:56,700 --> 00:06:59,830
will narrow the cruel
disparities between Americans of

106
00:06:59,834 --> 00:07:02,664
different backgrounds.

107
00:07:02,667 --> 00:07:05,237
That's why we passed
Wall Street reform --

108
00:07:05,233 --> 00:07:09,233
not only to make sure that
taxpayers aren't paying for

109
00:07:09,233 --> 00:07:15,503
somebody else's foolishness, but
also to protect consumers from

110
00:07:15,500 --> 00:07:18,630
predatory credit cards
and lending practices,

111
00:07:18,633 --> 00:07:24,803
regulating everything from
mortgages to payday loans;

112
00:07:24,800 --> 00:07:27,130
making sure that we're
protecting our economy from the

113
00:07:27,133 --> 00:07:32,333
recklessness and
irresponsibility of a few.

114
00:07:32,333 --> 00:07:35,533
(Applause)

115
00:07:35,533 --> 00:07:38,903
Across agencies, we're taking on
the structural inequalities that

116
00:07:38,900 --> 00:07:41,930
have held so many of our
fellow citizens back,

117
00:07:41,934 --> 00:07:46,004
whether it's making more housing
available and more affordable,

118
00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:48,670
making sure civil rights and
anti-discrimination laws are

119
00:07:48,667 --> 00:07:53,867
enforced, making sure our crime
policy is not only tough,

120
00:07:53,867 --> 00:07:55,637
but also smart.

121
00:07:55,633 --> 00:07:58,033
So yesterday, we took an
important step forward when

122
00:07:58,033 --> 00:08:01,133
Congress passed a fair
sentencing bill that I look

123
00:08:01,133 --> 00:08:03,103
forward to signing into law --

124
00:08:03,100 --> 00:08:04,170
(Applause)

125
00:08:04,166 --> 00:08:07,136
-- a bipartisan bill to help right a longstanding wrong by

126
00:08:07,133 --> 00:08:10,503
narrowing sentencing disparities
between those convicted of crack

127
00:08:10,500 --> 00:08:13,070
cocaine and powder cocaine.

128
00:08:13,066 --> 00:08:14,366
It's the right thing to do.

129
00:08:14,367 --> 00:08:16,397
(Applause)

130
00:08:16,400 --> 00:08:24,800
We've gotten that done.

131
00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:28,530
So we've made progress.

132
00:08:28,533 --> 00:08:32,203
And yet, for all
of our progress --

133
00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:34,730
progress that's come through the
efforts of groups like the Urban

134
00:08:34,734 --> 00:08:39,304
League; progress that makes it
possible for me to stand here as

135
00:08:39,300 --> 00:08:44,930
President -- we were reminded this past week that we still got

136
00:08:44,934 --> 00:08:49,764
work to do when it comes to promoting the values of fairness

137
00:08:49,767 --> 00:08:56,697
and equality and mutual understanding that must bind us

138
00:08:56,700 --> 00:08:59,830
together as a nation.

139
00:08:59,834 --> 00:09:04,204
Now, last week, I had the chance
to talk to Shirley Sherrod --

140
00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:08,170
an exemplary woman whose
experiences mark both the

141
00:09:08,166 --> 00:09:15,266
challenges we have faced and
the progress that we've made.

142
00:09:15,266 --> 00:09:17,436
She deserves better than
what happened last week --

143
00:09:17,433 --> 00:09:25,903
(Applause)

144
00:09:25,900 --> 00:09:31,700
-- when a bogus controversy based on selective and deceiving

145
00:09:31,700 --> 00:09:39,700
excerpts of a speech led her -- led to her forced resignation.

146
00:09:39,700 --> 00:09:45,670
Now, many are to blame for the
reaction and overreaction that

147
00:09:45,667 --> 00:09:51,097
followed these comments -- including my own administration.

148
00:09:51,100 --> 00:09:53,600
And what I said to Shirley was
that the full story she was

149
00:09:53,600 --> 00:10:00,100
trying to tell -- a story about overcoming our own biases and

150
00:10:00,100 --> 00:10:02,530
recognizing ourselves in
folks who, on the surface,

151
00:10:02,533 --> 00:10:09,463
seem different -- is exactly the kind of story we need to hear in America.

152
00:10:09,467 --> 00:10:14,037
(Applause)

153
00:10:14,033 --> 00:10:19,233
It's exactly what we need to
hear because we've all got our biases.

154
00:10:19,233 --> 00:10:23,963
And rather than jump to
conclusions and point fingers,

155
00:10:23,967 --> 00:10:30,937
and play some of the games
that are played on cable TV,

156
00:10:30,934 --> 00:10:37,264
we should all look inward and
try to examine what's in our own hearts.

157
00:10:37,266 --> 00:10:38,766
(Applause)

158
00:10:38,767 --> 00:10:41,167
We should all make more of an
effort to discuss with one

159
00:10:41,166 --> 00:10:45,336
another, in a truthful and
mature and responsible way,

160
00:10:45,333 --> 00:10:50,403
the divides that still exist -- the discrimination that's still

161
00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:56,830
out there, the prejudices
that still hold us back --

162
00:10:56,834 --> 00:11:00,904
a discussion that needs to
take place not on cable TV,

163
00:11:00,900 --> 00:11:04,430
not just through a bunch of
academic symposia or fancy

164
00:11:04,433 --> 00:11:11,403
commissions or panels, not
through political posturing,

165
00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:15,370
but around kitchen
tables, and water coolers,

166
00:11:15,367 --> 00:11:18,737
and church basements,
and in our schools,

167
00:11:18,734 --> 00:11:21,164
and with our kids all
across the country.

168
00:11:21,166 --> 00:11:23,936
(Applause)

169
00:11:23,934 --> 00:11:27,704
If we can have that
conversation in our own lives,

170
00:11:27,700 --> 00:11:32,330
if we can take an opportunity to
learn from our imperfections and

171
00:11:32,333 --> 00:11:36,733
our mistakes, to grow as
individuals and as a country,

172
00:11:36,734 --> 00:11:40,634
and if we engage in the hard
work of translating words into

173
00:11:40,633 --> 00:11:46,833
deeds -- because words are
easy and deeds are hard --

174
00:11:46,834 --> 00:11:51,664
then I'm confident that we can
move forward together and make

175
00:11:51,667 --> 00:11:54,967
this country a little more
perfect than it was before.

176
00:11:54,967 --> 00:12:00,437
(Applause)

177
00:12:00,433 --> 00:12:02,763
Now, since we're on the topic
of speaking honestly with one

178
00:12:02,767 --> 00:12:08,067
another, I want to devote
the balance of my time,

179
00:12:08,066 --> 00:12:11,866
the balance of my remarks, to
an issue that I believe will

180
00:12:11,867 --> 00:12:16,567
largely determine not only
African American success,

181
00:12:16,567 --> 00:12:21,367
but the success of our
nation in the 21st century --

182
00:12:21,367 --> 00:12:26,097
and that is whether we are
offering our children the very

183
00:12:26,100 --> 00:12:28,630
best education possible.

184
00:12:28,633 --> 00:12:35,233
(Applause)

185
00:12:35,233 --> 00:12:39,103
I know some argue that as
we emerge from a recession,

186
00:12:39,100 --> 00:12:43,670
my administration should focus
solely on economic issues.

187
00:12:43,667 --> 00:12:45,737
They said that during health
care as if health care had

188
00:12:45,734 --> 00:12:49,604
nothing to do with economics;
said it during financial reform

189
00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:52,770
as if financial reform had
nothing to do with economics;

190
00:12:52,767 --> 00:12:57,337
and now they're saying it as
we work on education issues.

191
00:12:57,333 --> 00:13:02,003
But education is an
economic issue --

192
00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:04,470
if not "the" economic
issue of our time.

193
00:13:04,467 --> 00:13:09,097
(Applause)

194
00:13:09,100 --> 00:13:11,700
It's an economic issue when the
unemployment rate for folks

195
00:13:11,700 --> 00:13:16,100
who've never gone to college is
almost double what it is for

196
00:13:16,100 --> 00:13:17,900
those who have gone to college.

197
00:13:17,900 --> 00:13:19,030
(Applause)

198
00:13:19,033 --> 00:13:21,963
It's an economic issue when
eight in 10 new jobs will

199
00:13:21,967 --> 00:13:26,297
require workforce training or a
higher education by the end of

200
00:13:26,300 --> 00:13:28,970
this decade.

201
00:13:28,967 --> 00:13:32,137
It's an economic issue when
countries that out-educate us

202
00:13:32,133 --> 00:13:37,633
today are going to
out-compete us tomorrow.

203
00:13:37,633 --> 00:13:43,903
Now, for years, we've recognized
that education is a prerequisite

204
00:13:43,900 --> 00:13:46,530
for prosperity.

205
00:13:46,533 --> 00:13:51,033
And yet, we've tolerated a
status quo where America lags

206
00:13:51,033 --> 00:13:54,103
behind other nations.

207
00:13:54,100 --> 00:13:57,200
Just last week, we learned
that in a single generation,

208
00:13:57,200 --> 00:14:03,270
America went from number one to
12th in college completion rates

209
00:14:03,266 --> 00:14:06,466
for young adults.

210
00:14:06,467 --> 00:14:10,837
Used to be number one,
now we're number 12.

211
00:14:10,834 --> 00:14:16,004
At the same time, our 8th
graders trail about eight --

212
00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:23,630
10 other nations -- 10 other nations in science and math.

213
00:14:23,633 --> 00:14:31,263
Meanwhile, when it
comes to black students,

214
00:14:31,266 --> 00:14:35,496
African American students trail
not only almost every other

215
00:14:35,500 --> 00:14:40,770
developed nation abroad, but
they badly trail their white

216
00:14:40,767 --> 00:14:48,797
classmates here at home -- an achievement gap that is widening

217
00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:57,200
the income gap between black and white, between rich and poor.

218
00:14:57,200 --> 00:14:59,270
We've talked about
it, we know about it,

219
00:14:59,266 --> 00:15:02,536
but we haven't done
enough about it.

220
00:15:02,533 --> 00:15:05,033
And this status quo is
morally inexcusable,

221
00:15:05,033 --> 00:15:09,403
it s economically indefensible,
and all of us are going to have

222
00:15:09,400 --> 00:15:13,670
to roll up our
sleeves to change it.

223
00:15:13,667 --> 00:15:14,767
And that's why --

224
00:15:14,767 --> 00:15:19,497
(Applause)

225
00:15:19,500 --> 00:15:23,600
That is why, from day one
of this administration,

226
00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:27,530
we've made excellence in American education --

227
00:15:27,533 --> 00:15:33,103
excellence for all our
students -- a top priority.

228
00:15:33,100 --> 00:15:36,170
And no one has shown more
leadership on this issue than my

229
00:15:36,166 --> 00:15:39,066
Secretary of Education, Arne
Duncan, who is here today.

230
00:15:39,066 --> 00:15:47,466
(Applause)

231
00:15:47,467 --> 00:15:52,167
I chose Arne not only because
he's a great ballplayer --

232
00:15:52,166 --> 00:15:54,266
(Laughter)

233
00:15:54,266 --> 00:15:58,166
-- Arne and I play a little
bit on the weekends --

234
00:15:58,166 --> 00:16:02,866
I chose Arne because
I knew that for him,

235
00:16:02,867 --> 00:16:08,337
closing the achievement gap,
unlocking the potential of every

236
00:16:08,333 --> 00:16:17,163
child, isn't just a job, it's
been the cause of his life.

237
00:16:17,166 --> 00:16:20,536
Now, because a higher education
has never been more important --

238
00:16:20,533 --> 00:16:24,603
or more expensive -- it's absolutely essential that we put

239
00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:28,900
a college degree within
reach for anyone who wants it.

240
00:16:28,900 --> 00:16:31,070
And that's why we're making
higher education more

241
00:16:31,066 --> 00:16:35,096
affordable, so we can meet the
goals I've set of producing a

242
00:16:35,100 --> 00:16:38,600
higher share of college
graduates than any other nation

243
00:16:38,600 --> 00:16:39,530
by 2020.

244
00:16:39,533 --> 00:16:41,703
I want us to be back at number
one instead of number 12.

245
00:16:41,700 --> 00:16:47,000
(Applause)

246
00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:54,570
And in pursuit of that goal, we
eliminated taxpayer subsidies to big banks.

247
00:16:54,567 --> 00:16:56,937
We saved tens of
billions of dollars,

248
00:16:56,934 --> 00:17:01,364
and we used those savings to
open the door to additional

249
00:17:01,367 --> 00:17:05,197
financial aid -- to open the door for college to millions

250
00:17:05,200 --> 00:17:07,730
more students.

251
00:17:07,734 --> 00:17:09,604
This is something that a lot
of you may not be aware of,

252
00:17:09,600 --> 00:17:13,230
but we have added tens of
billions of dollars that were

253
00:17:13,233 --> 00:17:17,833
going to bank middlemen, so
that that money is now going to

254
00:17:17,834 --> 00:17:19,764
students -- millions more students who are getting

255
00:17:19,767 --> 00:17:21,697
scholarships to go to college.

256
00:17:21,700 --> 00:17:24,930
(Applause)

257
00:17:24,934 --> 00:17:28,804
That's already been done.

258
00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:32,670
We're making loan
repayment more manageable,

259
00:17:32,667 --> 00:17:36,137
so young people don't graduate -- like Michelle and me --

260
00:17:36,133 --> 00:17:39,063
with such big loan
payments every month.

261
00:17:39,066 --> 00:17:40,296
Audience Member:
Thank you!

262
00:17:40,300 --> 00:17:41,970
The President:
You're welcome.

263
00:17:41,967 --> 00:17:43,097
Right there.

264
00:17:43,100 --> 00:17:45,270
(Laughter)

265
00:17:45,266 --> 00:17:46,596
You can relate.

266
00:17:46,600 --> 00:17:50,400
(Laughter)

267
00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:53,830
And we're reinvesting in our
Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

268
00:17:53,834 --> 00:18:01,134
(Applause)

269
00:18:01,133 --> 00:18:08,833
Our HBCUs, we are
reinvesting in them,

270
00:18:08,834 --> 00:18:11,534
while at the same time reforming
and strengthening our community

271
00:18:11,533 --> 00:18:15,663
college, which are great,
undervalued assets --

272
00:18:15,667 --> 00:18:18,937
(Applause)

273
00:18:18,934 --> 00:18:21,304
-- great assets that are a lifeline to so many working

274
00:18:21,300 --> 00:18:26,270
families in every
community across America.

275
00:18:26,266 --> 00:18:29,196
But here's the thing.

276
00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:35,330
Even if we do all this good
stuff for higher education,

277
00:18:35,333 --> 00:18:40,663
too many of our children see
college as nothing but a distant

278
00:18:40,667 --> 00:18:46,137
dream -- because their education went off the rails long before

279
00:18:46,133 --> 00:18:49,303
they turned 18.

280
00:18:49,300 --> 00:18:53,600
These are young people who've
been relegated to failing

281
00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:55,830
schools in struggling
communities,

282
00:18:55,834 --> 00:18:57,634
where there are
too many obstacles,

283
00:18:57,633 --> 00:19:03,303
too few role models -- communities that I represented

284
00:19:03,300 --> 00:19:07,700
as a state senator; communities that I fought to lift up as a

285
00:19:07,700 --> 00:19:11,230
community organizer.

286
00:19:11,233 --> 00:19:17,433
I remember going to a school
back in my organizing days and

287
00:19:17,433 --> 00:19:23,563
seeing children -- young children, maybe five or six --

288
00:19:23,567 --> 00:19:26,837
eyes were brimming with hope,
had such big dreams for the future.

289
00:19:26,834 --> 00:19:29,264
You'd ask them, what do you
want to be when you grow up?

290
00:19:29,266 --> 00:19:33,366
They'd want to be a doctor;
they'd want to be a lawyer.

291
00:19:33,367 --> 00:19:35,237
And then I remember the
principal telling me that soon,

292
00:19:35,233 --> 00:19:37,633
all that would change.

293
00:19:37,633 --> 00:19:41,633
The hope would start fading from
their eyes as they started to

294
00:19:41,633 --> 00:19:44,863
realize that maybe their dreams
wouldn't come to pass --

295
00:19:44,867 --> 00:19:46,637
not because they
weren't smart enough,

296
00:19:46,633 --> 00:19:48,403
not because they weren't
talented enough,

297
00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:51,000
but because through a turn of
fate they happened to be born in

298
00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:54,370
the wrong neighborhood.

299
00:19:54,367 --> 00:19:57,897
They became victim
of low expectations,

300
00:19:57,900 --> 00:20:03,400
a community that was not
supporting educational excellence.

301
00:20:03,400 --> 00:20:06,170
And it was heartbreaking.

302
00:20:06,166 --> 00:20:08,636
It is heartbreaking.

303
00:20:08,633 --> 00:20:10,663
And it reinforced in me a
fundamental belief that we've

304
00:20:10,667 --> 00:20:14,867
got an obligation to lift up
every child in every school in

305
00:20:14,867 --> 00:20:18,637
this country, especially those
who are starting out furthest behind.

306
00:20:18,633 --> 00:20:25,133
(Applause)

307
00:20:25,133 --> 00:20:29,633
That's why I want to challenge
our states to offer better early

308
00:20:29,633 --> 00:20:33,633
learning options to make sure
our children aren't wasting

309
00:20:33,633 --> 00:20:35,263
their most formative years --

310
00:20:35,266 --> 00:20:37,396
(Applause)

311
00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:39,700
-- so that they can enter into kindergarten already ready to

312
00:20:39,700 --> 00:20:43,570
learn -- knowing their
colors, knowing their numbers,

313
00:20:43,567 --> 00:20:46,067
knowing their shapes,
knowing how to sit still.

314
00:20:46,066 --> 00:20:48,296
(Laughter)

315
00:20:48,300 --> 00:20:49,430
Right?

316
00:20:49,433 --> 00:20:54,533
That's no joke.

317
00:20:54,533 --> 00:20:58,303
You got to learn that,
especially when you're a boy.

318
00:20:58,300 --> 00:21:02,500
(Laughter)

319
00:21:02,500 --> 00:21:07,530
That's why we placed such heavy
emphasis on the education our

320
00:21:07,533 --> 00:21:12,403
children are getting from
kindergarten through 12th grade.

321
00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:16,500
Now, over the past 18 months,
the single most important thing

322
00:21:16,500 --> 00:21:17,730
we've done -- and
we've done a lot.

323
00:21:17,734 --> 00:21:20,464
I mean, the Recovery Act put
a lot of money into schools,

324
00:21:20,467 --> 00:21:23,497
saved a lot of teacher jobs,
made sure that schools didn't

325
00:21:23,500 --> 00:21:26,300
have to cut back even more
drastically in every community

326
00:21:26,300 --> 00:21:29,030
across this country.

327
00:21:29,033 --> 00:21:32,133
But I think the single most
important thing we've done is to

328
00:21:32,133 --> 00:21:35,133
launch an initiative
called Race to the Top.

329
00:21:35,133 --> 00:21:36,803
(Applause)

330
00:21:36,800 --> 00:21:43,300
We said to states, if you
are committed to outstanding

331
00:21:43,300 --> 00:21:48,730
teaching, to successful
schools, to higher standards,

332
00:21:48,734 --> 00:21:52,234
to better assessments -- if you're committed to excellence

333
00:21:52,233 --> 00:21:57,003
for all children -- you will be eligible for a grant to help you

334
00:21:57,000 --> 00:22:00,970
attain that goal.

335
00:22:00,967 --> 00:22:03,397
And so far, the results have
been promising and they have

336
00:22:03,400 --> 00:22:06,170
been powerful.

337
00:22:06,166 --> 00:22:08,696
In an effort to compete
for this extra money,

338
00:22:08,700 --> 00:22:13,570
32 states reformed their
education laws before we even

339
00:22:13,567 --> 00:22:15,937
spent a dime.

340
00:22:15,934 --> 00:22:20,404
The competition leveraged
change at the state level.

341
00:22:20,400 --> 00:22:24,370
And because the standards
we set were high,

342
00:22:24,367 --> 00:22:27,597
only a couple of states actually
won the grant in the first

343
00:22:27,600 --> 00:22:31,170
round, which meant that the
states that didn't get the

344
00:22:31,166 --> 00:22:34,396
money, they've now strengthened
their applications,

345
00:22:34,400 --> 00:22:36,630
made additional reforms.

346
00:22:36,633 --> 00:22:40,603
Now 36 have applied
in the second round,

347
00:22:40,600 --> 00:22:43,500
and 18 states plus the District
of Columbia are in the running

348
00:22:43,500 --> 00:22:45,470
to get a second grant.

349
00:22:45,467 --> 00:22:48,567
(Applause)

350
00:22:48,567 --> 00:22:49,837
So understand what's happened.

351
00:22:49,834 --> 00:22:56,004
In each successive round, we've
leveraged change across the country.

352
00:22:56,000 --> 00:22:58,130
And even students in those
districts that haven't gotten a

353
00:22:58,133 --> 00:23:03,663
grant, they've still benefited
from the reforms that were initiated.

354
00:23:03,667 --> 00:23:06,297
And this process has sown
the seeds of achievement.

355
00:23:06,300 --> 00:23:09,370
It's forced teachers and
principals and officials and

356
00:23:09,367 --> 00:23:14,437
parents to forge
agreements on tough,

357
00:23:14,433 --> 00:23:18,663
and often
uncomfortable issues --

358
00:23:18,667 --> 00:23:24,167
to raise their sights
and embrace education.

359
00:23:24,166 --> 00:23:27,766
For the most part, states,
educators, reformers,

360
00:23:27,767 --> 00:23:30,267
they've responded with great
enthusiasm around this promise

361
00:23:30,266 --> 00:23:31,696
of excellence.

362
00:23:31,700 --> 00:23:36,970
But I know there's also been
some controversy about Race to the Top.

363
00:23:36,967 --> 00:23:41,567
Part of it, I believe, reflects
a general resistance to change.

364
00:23:41,567 --> 00:23:43,897
We get comfortable with the
status quo even when the status

365
00:23:43,900 --> 00:23:47,430
quo isn't good.

366
00:23:47,433 --> 00:23:53,263
We make excuses for why things
have to be the way they are.

367
00:23:53,266 --> 00:24:01,636
And when you try to shake things
up, some people aren't happy.

368
00:24:01,633 --> 00:24:05,363
There have been criticisms from
some folks in the civil rights

369
00:24:05,367 --> 00:24:09,367
community about particular
elements of Race to the Top.

370
00:24:09,367 --> 00:24:10,897
So I want to address
some of those today.

371
00:24:10,900 --> 00:24:14,870
I told you we're going to
have an honest conversation.

372
00:24:14,867 --> 00:24:19,237
First, I know there's a concern
that Race to the Top doesn't do

373
00:24:19,233 --> 00:24:24,463
enough for minority kids,
because the argument is, well,

374
00:24:24,467 --> 00:24:30,867
if there's a competition, then
somehow some states or some

375
00:24:30,867 --> 00:24:34,797
school districts will get
more help than others.

376
00:24:34,800 --> 00:24:37,430
Let me tell you, what's not
working for black kids and

377
00:24:37,433 --> 00:24:40,463
Hispanic kids and Native
American kids across this

378
00:24:40,467 --> 00:24:43,037
country is the status quo.

379
00:24:43,033 --> 00:24:44,433
That's what's not working.

380
00:24:44,433 --> 00:24:46,803
(Applause)

381
00:24:46,800 --> 00:24:52,800
What's not working is what we've
been doing for decades now.

382
00:24:52,800 --> 00:24:55,530
So the charge that Race to the
Top isn't targeted at those

383
00:24:55,533 --> 00:25:01,003
young people most in need is
absolutely false because lifting

384
00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:05,030
up quality for all our children -- black, white, Hispanic --

385
00:25:05,033 --> 00:25:08,603
that is the central
premise of Race to the Top.

386
00:25:08,600 --> 00:25:11,230
And you can't win one of these
grants unless you've got a plan

387
00:25:11,233 --> 00:25:13,763
to deal with those schools that
are failing and those young

388
00:25:13,767 --> 00:25:16,567
people who aren't doing well.

389
00:25:16,567 --> 00:25:18,537
Every state and every
school district is directly

390
00:25:18,533 --> 00:25:22,003
incentivized to deal with
schools that have been

391
00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:27,400
forgotten, been given up on.

392
00:25:27,400 --> 00:25:31,470
I also want to directly speak
to the issue of teachers.

393
00:25:31,467 --> 00:25:33,697
We may have some teachers
here in the house.

394
00:25:33,700 --> 00:25:34,930
(Applause)

395
00:25:34,934 --> 00:25:39,004
I know Urban League
has got some teachers.

396
00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:41,500
Nothing is more
important than teachers.

397
00:25:41,500 --> 00:25:42,730
(Applause)

398
00:25:42,734 --> 00:25:45,104
My sister is a teacher.

399
00:25:45,100 --> 00:25:48,970
I'm here because
of great teachers.

400
00:25:48,967 --> 00:25:52,197
The whole premise of Race to the
Top is that teachers are the

401
00:25:52,200 --> 00:25:55,500
single most important factor in
a child's education from the

402
00:25:55,500 --> 00:25:59,000
moment they step
into the classroom.

403
00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:05,130
And I know firsthand that the
vast majority of teachers are

404
00:26:05,133 --> 00:26:08,963
working tirelessly, are
passionate about their students,

405
00:26:08,967 --> 00:26:12,737
are often digging into their
own pockets for basic supplies,

406
00:26:12,734 --> 00:26:17,034
are going above and
beyond the call of duty.

407
00:26:17,033 --> 00:26:20,133
So I want teachers to
have higher salaries.

408
00:26:20,133 --> 00:26:22,333
I want them to
have more support.

409
00:26:22,333 --> 00:26:26,263
I want them to be trained like
the professionals they are --

410
00:26:26,266 --> 00:26:29,166
with rigorous residencies
like the ones that doctors go through.

411
00:26:29,166 --> 00:26:31,136
(Applause)

412
00:26:31,133 --> 00:26:33,133
I want to give them a
career ladder so they've got

413
00:26:33,133 --> 00:26:37,203
opportunities to advance, and earn real financial security.

414
00:26:37,200 --> 00:26:39,270
I don't want talented young
people to say I'd love to teach

415
00:26:39,266 --> 00:26:40,796
but I can't afford it.

416
00:26:40,800 --> 00:26:44,830
(Applause)

417
00:26:44,834 --> 00:26:51,534
I want them to have a fulfilling
and supportive workplace environment.

418
00:26:51,533 --> 00:26:53,333
I want them to have
the resources --

419
00:26:53,333 --> 00:26:56,033
from basic supplies to
reasonable class sizes --

420
00:26:56,033 --> 00:26:58,333
that help them succeed.

421
00:26:58,333 --> 00:27:00,903
And instead of a culture where
we're always idolizing sports

422
00:27:00,900 --> 00:27:04,070
stars or celebrities, I want
us to build a culture where we

423
00:27:04,066 --> 00:27:06,936
idolize the people who are
shaping our children's future.

424
00:27:06,934 --> 00:27:11,504
(Applause)

425
00:27:11,500 --> 00:27:14,370
I want some teachers on the
covers of some of those magazines.

426
00:27:14,367 --> 00:27:17,037
(Applause)

427
00:27:17,033 --> 00:27:19,763
Some teachers on MTV, featured.

428
00:27:19,767 --> 00:27:27,037
(Applause)

429
00:27:27,033 --> 00:27:29,403
I was on the "The
View" yesterday,

430
00:27:29,400 --> 00:27:34,030
and somebody asked
me who Snooki was.

431
00:27:34,033 --> 00:27:35,563
I said, I don't
know who Snooki is.

432
00:27:35,567 --> 00:27:37,637
(Laughter)

433
00:27:37,633 --> 00:27:41,463
But I know some really good
teachers that you guys should be

434
00:27:41,467 --> 00:27:43,237
talking about.

435
00:27:43,233 --> 00:27:44,603
(Laughter and applause)

436
00:27:44,600 --> 00:27:47,000
I didn't say the teacher
part, but I just --

437
00:27:47,000 --> 00:27:50,030
(Laughter)

438
00:27:50,033 --> 00:27:51,733
The question is, who
are we lifting up?

439
00:27:51,734 --> 00:27:53,334
Who are we promoting?

440
00:27:53,333 --> 00:27:58,333
Who are we saying is important?

441
00:27:58,333 --> 00:28:05,633
So I am 110% behind
our teachers.

442
00:28:05,633 --> 00:28:08,563
(Applause)

443
00:28:08,567 --> 00:28:16,497
But all I'm asking in return
-- as a President, as a parent,

444
00:28:16,500 --> 00:28:20,670
and as a citizen -- is some measure of accountability.

445
00:28:20,667 --> 00:28:26,637
(Applause)

446
00:28:26,633 --> 00:28:30,363
So even as we applaud
teachers for their hard work,

447
00:28:30,367 --> 00:28:36,797
we've got to make sure that we're seeing results in the classroom.

448
00:28:36,800 --> 00:28:40,000
If we're not seeing
results in the classroom,

449
00:28:40,000 --> 00:28:45,130
then let's work with teachers to
help them become more effective.

450
00:28:45,133 --> 00:28:49,363
If that doesn't work, let's
find the right teacher for that classroom.

451
00:28:49,367 --> 00:28:57,067
(Applause)

452
00:28:57,066 --> 00:28:59,966
Arne makes the point very
simply: Our children get only

453
00:28:59,967 --> 00:29:07,137
one chance at an education,
so we need to get it right.

454
00:29:07,133 --> 00:29:09,863
I want to commend some of the
teachers unions across this

455
00:29:09,867 --> 00:29:14,437
country who are working with
us to improve teaching --

456
00:29:14,433 --> 00:29:16,403
like the Delaware
Education Association,

457
00:29:16,400 --> 00:29:19,300
which is working with state
leaders as part of their Race to

458
00:29:19,300 --> 00:29:22,500
the Top efforts, not only
to set aside 90 minutes of

459
00:29:22,500 --> 00:29:25,930
collaboration time a week
to improve instruction,

460
00:29:25,934 --> 00:29:29,604
but to strengthen teacher
development and evaluation.

461
00:29:29,600 --> 00:29:32,170
That's the right way to go.

462
00:29:32,166 --> 00:29:36,066
So, for anyone who wants to use
Race to the Top to blame or

463
00:29:36,066 --> 00:29:38,696
punish teachers -- you're missing the point.

464
00:29:38,700 --> 00:29:42,870
Our goal isn't to fire
or admonish teachers;

465
00:29:42,867 --> 00:29:44,997
our goal is accountability.

466
00:29:45,000 --> 00:29:47,030
It's to provide teachers with
the support they need to be as

467
00:29:47,033 --> 00:29:50,063
effective as they can be, and to
create a better environment for

468
00:29:50,066 --> 00:29:54,396
teachers and students alike.

469
00:29:54,400 --> 00:29:56,430
Now, there's also the question
of how hard our teachers should

470
00:29:56,433 --> 00:30:01,063
push students in the classroom.

471
00:30:01,066 --> 00:30:03,936
Nations in Asia and Europe
have answered this question,

472
00:30:03,934 --> 00:30:08,134
in part by creating standards
to make sure their teachers and

473
00:30:08,133 --> 00:30:11,363
students are performing at the
same high levels throughout

474
00:30:11,367 --> 00:30:13,567
their nation.

475
00:30:13,567 --> 00:30:18,667
That's one of the reasons that
their children are doing better than ours.

476
00:30:18,667 --> 00:30:22,297
But here at home, there's often
a controversy about national

477
00:30:22,300 --> 00:30:26,300
standards, common standards -- that violates the principle of

478
00:30:26,300 --> 00:30:28,100
local control.

479
00:30:28,100 --> 00:30:30,700
Now, there's a history to local
control that we need to think

480
00:30:30,700 --> 00:30:38,600
about, but that --
that's the argument.

481
00:30:38,600 --> 00:30:43,600
So here's what Race to the Top
says: Instead of Washington

482
00:30:43,600 --> 00:30:47,430
imposing standards
from the top down,

483
00:30:47,433 --> 00:30:51,903
let's challenge states to adopt
common standards voluntarily,

484
00:30:51,900 --> 00:30:53,630
from the bottom up.

485
00:30:53,633 --> 00:30:55,003
That doesn't mean
more standards;

486
00:30:55,000 --> 00:30:57,370
it means higher standards,
better standards,

487
00:30:57,367 --> 00:31:02,237
standards that clarify what our
teachers are expected to teach

488
00:31:02,233 --> 00:31:04,603
and what our children
are expected to learn --

489
00:31:04,600 --> 00:31:07,670
so high school graduates are
actually prepared for college

490
00:31:07,667 --> 00:31:08,767
and a career.

491
00:31:08,767 --> 00:31:11,667
I do not want to see young
people get a diploma but they

492
00:31:11,667 --> 00:31:13,437
can't read that diploma.

493
00:31:13,433 --> 00:31:21,463
(Applause)

494
00:31:21,467 --> 00:31:23,937
Now, so far, about 30 states
have come together to embrace

495
00:31:23,934 --> 00:31:27,504
and develop common
standards, high standards.

496
00:31:27,500 --> 00:31:31,070
More states are expected to
do so in the coming weeks.

497
00:31:31,066 --> 00:31:32,596
And by the way, this is
different from No Child Left

498
00:31:32,600 --> 00:31:36,470
Behind, because what that did
was it gave the states the wrong incentives.

499
00:31:36,467 --> 00:31:39,697
A bunch of states watered down
their standards so that school

500
00:31:39,700 --> 00:31:45,100
districts wouldn't be penalized
when their students fell short.

501
00:31:45,100 --> 00:31:47,100
And what's happened now
is, at least two states --

502
00:31:47,100 --> 00:31:50,630
Illinois and Oklahoma -- that lowered standards in response to

503
00:31:50,633 --> 00:31:54,233
No Child Behind -- No
Child Left Behind --

504
00:31:54,233 --> 00:31:57,063
are now raising those
standards back up,

505
00:31:57,066 --> 00:32:01,736
partly in response
to Race to the Top.

506
00:32:01,734 --> 00:32:04,404
And part of making sure our
young people meet these high

507
00:32:04,400 --> 00:32:08,200
standards is designing tests
that accurately measure whether

508
00:32:08,200 --> 00:32:09,570
they are learning.

509
00:32:09,567 --> 00:32:13,497
Now, here, too, there's
been some controversy.

510
00:32:13,500 --> 00:32:17,930
When we talk about testing,
parents worry that it means more

511
00:32:17,934 --> 00:32:20,464
teaching to the test.

512
00:32:20,467 --> 00:32:24,897
Some worry that tests
are culturally biased.

513
00:32:24,900 --> 00:32:28,570
Teachers worry that they'll be
evaluated solely on the basis of

514
00:32:28,567 --> 00:32:30,767
a single standardized test.

515
00:32:30,767 --> 00:32:34,067
Everybody thinks that's unfair.

516
00:32:34,066 --> 00:32:36,266
It is unfair.

517
00:32:36,266 --> 00:32:38,096
But that's not what Race
to the Top is about.

518
00:32:38,100 --> 00:32:40,730
What Race to the Top says is,
there's nothing wrong with

519
00:32:40,734 --> 00:32:43,834
testing -- we just need better tests applied in a way that

520
00:32:43,834 --> 00:32:49,604
helps teachers and students, instead of stifling what

521
00:32:49,600 --> 00:32:52,170
teachers and students
do in the classroom.

522
00:32:52,166 --> 00:32:54,366
Tests that don't
dictate what's taught,

523
00:32:54,367 --> 00:32:56,867
but tell us what
has been learned.

524
00:32:56,867 --> 00:32:59,937
Tests that measure how well our
children are mastering essential

525
00:32:59,934 --> 00:33:04,164
skills and answering
complex questions.

526
00:33:04,166 --> 00:33:06,536
And tests that track how well
our students are growing

527
00:33:06,533 --> 00:33:10,403
academically, so we can catch
when they're falling behind and

528
00:33:10,400 --> 00:33:13,630
help them before they
just get passed along.

529
00:33:13,633 --> 00:33:15,633
(Applause)

530
00:33:15,633 --> 00:33:19,333
Because of Race to the Top,
states are also finding

531
00:33:19,333 --> 00:33:23,403
innovative ways to move beyond
having just a snapshot of where

532
00:33:23,400 --> 00:33:27,000
students are, and towards a
real-time picture that shows how

533
00:33:27,000 --> 00:33:29,900
far they've come and
how far they have to go.

534
00:33:29,900 --> 00:33:32,870
And armed with this information,
teachers can get what amounts to

535
00:33:32,867 --> 00:33:36,967
a game tape that they can study
to enhance their teaching and

536
00:33:36,967 --> 00:33:45,337
their focus on areas where
students need help the most.

537
00:33:45,333 --> 00:33:48,333
Now, sometimes a school's
problems run so deep that you

538
00:33:48,333 --> 00:33:51,303
can do the better assessments
and the higher standards and a

539
00:33:51,300 --> 00:33:56,470
more challenging curriculum,
and that's not enough.

540
00:33:56,467 --> 00:33:59,497
If a school isn't producing
graduates with even the most

541
00:33:59,500 --> 00:34:07,300
basic skills -- year after
year after year after year --

542
00:34:07,300 --> 00:34:08,900
something needs to
be done differently.

543
00:34:08,900 --> 00:34:10,900
You know, the definition,
somebody once said,

544
00:34:10,900 --> 00:34:13,970
of madness is you do the same
thing over and over again and

545
00:34:13,967 --> 00:34:19,597
keep expecting a
different result.

546
00:34:19,600 --> 00:34:21,330
If we want success
for our country,

547
00:34:21,333 --> 00:34:27,033
we can't accept failure in our
schools decade after decade.

548
00:34:27,033 --> 00:34:33,203
And that's why we're challenging
states to turn around our 5,000

549
00:34:33,200 --> 00:34:36,300
lowest performing schools.

550
00:34:36,300 --> 00:34:38,600
And I don't think it's any
secret that most of those are

551
00:34:38,600 --> 00:34:44,700
serving African American
or Hispanic kids.

552
00:34:44,700 --> 00:34:49,470
We're investing over $4
billion to help them do that,

553
00:34:49,467 --> 00:34:51,597
to transform those
schools -- $4 billion,

554
00:34:51,600 --> 00:34:53,430
which even in
Washington is real money.

555
00:34:53,433 --> 00:34:57,703
(Applause)

556
00:34:57,700 --> 00:34:59,870
This isn't about -- unlike
No Child Left Behind,

557
00:34:59,867 --> 00:35:03,137
this isn't about labeling a troubled school a failure and

558
00:35:03,133 --> 00:35:06,263
then just throwing up your
hands and saying, well,

559
00:35:06,266 --> 00:35:07,536
we're giving up on you.

560
00:35:07,533 --> 00:35:10,033
It's about investing in
that school's future,

561
00:35:10,033 --> 00:35:11,863
and recruiting the whole
community to help turn it

562
00:35:11,867 --> 00:35:17,297
around, and identifying viable
options for how to move forward.

563
00:35:17,300 --> 00:35:19,930
Now, in some cases, that's going
to mean restarting the school

564
00:35:19,934 --> 00:35:23,404
under different management
as a charter school --

565
00:35:23,400 --> 00:35:27,070
as an independent public school
formed by parents, teachers,

566
00:35:27,066 --> 00:35:31,496
and civic leaders who've got
broad leeway to innovate.

567
00:35:31,500 --> 00:35:34,000
And some people don't
like charter schools.

568
00:35:34,000 --> 00:35:36,530
They say, well, that's going
to take away money from other

569
00:35:36,533 --> 00:35:40,103
public schools that
also need support.

570
00:35:40,100 --> 00:35:41,870
Charter schools
aren't a magic bullet,

571
00:35:41,867 --> 00:35:45,037
but I want to give states and
school districts the chance to

572
00:35:45,033 --> 00:35:46,663
try new things.

573
00:35:46,667 --> 00:35:52,737
If a charter school works,
then let's apply those lessons elsewhere.

574
00:35:52,734 --> 00:35:55,304
And if a charter school doesn't
work, we'll hold it accountable;

575
00:35:55,300 --> 00:35:57,730
we'll shut it down.

576
00:35:57,734 --> 00:36:00,164
So, no, I don't support
all charter schools,

577
00:36:00,166 --> 00:36:02,796
but I do support
good charter schools.

578
00:36:02,800 --> 00:36:03,870
I'll give you an example.

579
00:36:03,867 --> 00:36:09,667
There's a charter school called
Mastery in Philadelphia.

580
00:36:09,667 --> 00:36:13,537
And in just two years, three of
the schools that Mastery has

581
00:36:13,533 --> 00:36:18,733
taken over have seen reading and
math levels nearly double --

582
00:36:18,734 --> 00:36:21,104
in some cases, triple.

583
00:36:21,100 --> 00:36:24,430
Chaka Fattah is here, so he
knows what I'm talking about.

584
00:36:24,433 --> 00:36:29,603
One school called Pickett went
from just 14% of students being

585
00:36:29,600 --> 00:36:33,630
proficient in math
to almost 70%.

586
00:36:33,633 --> 00:36:36,403
(Applause)

587
00:36:36,400 --> 00:36:42,300
Now -- and here's the kicker
-- at the same time academic

588
00:36:42,300 --> 00:36:50,100
performance improved,
violence dropped by 80% -- 80%.

589
00:36:50,100 --> 00:36:51,630
And that's no coincidence.

590
00:36:51,633 --> 00:36:54,833
(Applause)

591
00:36:54,834 --> 00:37:02,704
Now, if a school like Mastery
can do it, if Pickett can do it,

592
00:37:02,700 --> 00:37:06,370
every troubled school can do it.

593
00:37:06,367 --> 00:37:10,667
But that means we're going to
have to shake some things up.

594
00:37:10,667 --> 00:37:14,397
Setting high standards,
common standards,

595
00:37:14,400 --> 00:37:16,830
empowering students
to meet them;

596
00:37:16,834 --> 00:37:19,504
partnering with our teachers
to achieve excellence in the

597
00:37:19,500 --> 00:37:22,730
classroom; educating our children -- all of them --

598
00:37:22,734 --> 00:37:25,734
to graduate ready for
college, ready for a career,

599
00:37:25,734 --> 00:37:28,434
ready to make most
of their lives --

600
00:37:28,433 --> 00:37:32,033
none of this should
be controversial.

601
00:37:32,033 --> 00:37:35,803
There should be a fuss if we
weren't doing these things.

602
00:37:35,800 --> 00:37:39,600
There should be a fuss if Arne
Duncan wasn't trying to shake things up.

603
00:37:39,600 --> 00:37:43,530
(Applause)

604
00:37:43,533 --> 00:37:46,433
So Race to the Top, isn't simply
the name of an initiative.

605
00:37:46,433 --> 00:37:49,933
It sums up what's
happening in our schools.

606
00:37:49,934 --> 00:37:53,404
It's the single most ambitious,
meaningful education reform

607
00:37:53,400 --> 00:37:58,100
effort we've attempted in
this country in generations.

608
00:37:58,100 --> 00:38:00,770
And I know there are a number of
other steps we need to take to

609
00:38:00,767 --> 00:38:05,397
lift up our education system
-- like saving teachers' jobs

610
00:38:05,400 --> 00:38:08,030
across this country
from layoffs --

611
00:38:08,033 --> 00:38:12,263
and I'll continue fighting to
take those steps and save those jobs.

612
00:38:12,266 --> 00:38:14,996
But I'll also continue to
fight for Race to the Top with

613
00:38:15,000 --> 00:38:19,770
everything I've got, including
using a veto to prevent some

614
00:38:19,767 --> 00:38:22,397
folks from watering it down.

615
00:38:22,400 --> 00:38:24,270
(Applause)

616
00:38:24,266 --> 00:38:29,296
Now, let me wrap
up by saying this.

617
00:38:29,300 --> 00:38:33,170
I know there are some who say
that Race to the Top won't work.

618
00:38:33,166 --> 00:38:36,496
There are cynics and naysayers
who argue that the problems in

619
00:38:36,500 --> 00:38:40,130
our education system
are too entrenched,

620
00:38:40,133 --> 00:38:44,503
that think that we'll just fall
back into the same old arguments

621
00:38:44,500 --> 00:38:49,130
and divides that have
held us back for so long.

622
00:38:49,133 --> 00:38:52,663
And it is true, as I've said
since I ran for President,

623
00:38:52,667 --> 00:38:55,997
and that everybody here knows
firsthand, change is hard.

624
00:38:56,000 --> 00:38:57,100
I don't know if you've noticed.

625
00:38:57,100 --> 00:38:58,530
That's why I've got
all this gray hair.

626
00:38:58,533 --> 00:39:01,363
(Laughter)

627
00:39:01,367 --> 00:39:04,197
Fixing what was broken in our
health care system is not easy.

628
00:39:04,200 --> 00:39:07,570
Fixing what was broken on
Wall Street is not easy.

629
00:39:07,567 --> 00:39:12,467
Fixing what's broken in our
education system is not easy.

630
00:39:12,467 --> 00:39:16,167
We won't see results overnight.

631
00:39:16,166 --> 00:39:20,566
It may take a decade for
these changes to pay off.

632
00:39:20,567 --> 00:39:23,367
But that's not a reason
not to make them.

633
00:39:23,367 --> 00:39:25,337
It's a reason to start
making them right now,

634
00:39:25,333 --> 00:39:28,403
to feel a sense of urgency
-- the fierce urgency of now.

635
00:39:28,400 --> 00:39:33,070
(Applause)

636
00:39:33,066 --> 00:39:36,036
We also know that as significant
as these reforms are,

637
00:39:36,033 --> 00:39:40,303
there's going to be one more
ingredient to really make a

638
00:39:40,300 --> 00:39:44,700
difference: parents are going
to have to get more involved in

639
00:39:44,700 --> 00:39:46,100
their children's education.

640
00:39:46,100 --> 00:39:52,900
(Applause)

641
00:39:52,900 --> 00:39:59,570
Now, in the past, even
that statement has sparked controversy.

642
00:39:59,567 --> 00:40:06,497
Folks say, well, why are
you talking about parents?

643
00:40:06,500 --> 00:40:08,470
Parents need help, too.

644
00:40:08,467 --> 00:40:10,667
I know that.

645
00:40:10,667 --> 00:40:12,397
Parents need jobs.

646
00:40:12,400 --> 00:40:13,470
They need housing.

647
00:40:13,467 --> 00:40:18,437
They need -- in some
cases -- social services.

648
00:40:18,433 --> 00:40:22,633
They may have substance
abuse problems.

649
00:40:22,633 --> 00:40:26,503
We're working on
all those fronts.

650
00:40:26,500 --> 00:40:29,030
Then some people say, well, why
are you always talking about

651
00:40:29,033 --> 00:40:32,733
parental responsibility
in front of black folks?

652
00:40:32,734 --> 00:40:48,664
(Laughter and applause)

653
00:40:48,667 --> 00:40:53,597
And I say, I talk about parental
responsibility wherever I talk

654
00:40:53,600 --> 00:40:57,500
about education.

655
00:40:57,500 --> 00:40:59,900
Michelle and I happen to
be black parents, so --

656
00:40:59,900 --> 00:41:04,070
(Laughter and applause)

657
00:41:04,066 --> 00:41:12,296
-- I may -- I may add a little umph to it when I'm talking to

658
00:41:12,300 --> 00:41:13,700
black parents.

659
00:41:13,700 --> 00:41:19,270
(Laughter)

660
00:41:19,266 --> 00:41:26,796
But to paraphrase Dr. King,
education isn't an either/or proposition.

661
00:41:26,800 --> 00:41:29,370
It's a both/and proposition.

662
00:41:29,367 --> 00:41:33,597
It will take both more
focus from our parents,

663
00:41:33,600 --> 00:41:36,330
and better schooling.

664
00:41:36,333 --> 00:41:42,363
It will take both more
money, and more reform.

665
00:41:42,367 --> 00:41:44,697
It will take both a
collective commitment,

666
00:41:44,700 --> 00:41:48,830
and a personal commitment.

667
00:41:48,834 --> 00:41:52,704
So, yes, our federal government
has responsibilities that it has

668
00:41:52,700 --> 00:41:56,070
to meet, and I will keep
on making sure the federal

669
00:41:56,066 --> 00:41:58,766
government meets those
responsibilities.

670
00:41:58,767 --> 00:42:01,967
Our governors, our
superintendants, our states,

671
00:42:01,967 --> 00:42:07,037
our school districts have
responsibilities to meet.

672
00:42:07,033 --> 00:42:10,703
And parents have
responsibilities that they have to meet.

673
00:42:10,700 --> 00:42:13,930
And our children have
responsibilities that they have to meet.

674
00:42:13,934 --> 00:42:17,564
(Applause)

675
00:42:17,567 --> 00:42:18,537
It's not just parents.

676
00:42:18,533 --> 00:42:20,733
It's the children, too.

677
00:42:20,734 --> 00:42:24,664
Our kids need to understand
nobody is going to hand them a future.

678
00:42:24,667 --> 00:42:28,637
(Applause)

679
00:42:28,633 --> 00:42:31,303
An education is not something
you just tip your head and they

680
00:42:31,300 --> 00:42:33,200
pour it in your ear.

681
00:42:33,200 --> 00:42:34,670
(Laughter)

682
00:42:34,667 --> 00:42:37,467
You've got to want it.

683
00:42:37,467 --> 00:42:42,067
You've got to reach out and
claim that future for yourself.

684
00:42:42,066 --> 00:42:44,066
And you can't make excuses.

685
00:42:44,066 --> 00:42:46,896
(Applause)

686
00:42:46,900 --> 00:42:52,300
I know life is tough for a lot
of young people in this country.

687
00:42:52,300 --> 00:42:54,930
The places where Urban League is
working to make a difference,

688
00:42:54,934 --> 00:43:00,934
you see it every day.

689
00:43:00,934 --> 00:43:04,034
I'm coming from the
Southside of Chicago.

690
00:43:04,033 --> 00:43:05,403
(Applause)

691
00:43:05,400 --> 00:43:14,200
So I know -- I see what young people are going through there.

692
00:43:14,200 --> 00:43:17,000
And at certain
points in our lives,

693
00:43:17,000 --> 00:43:23,500
young black men and women
may feel the sting of discrimination.

694
00:43:23,500 --> 00:43:25,500
Too many of them may feel
trapped in a community where

695
00:43:25,500 --> 00:43:29,430
drugs and violence and
unemployment are pervasive,

696
00:43:29,433 --> 00:43:32,603
and they are forced to wrestle
with things that no child should

697
00:43:32,600 --> 00:43:36,030
have to face.

698
00:43:36,033 --> 00:43:42,563
There are all kinds of reasons
for our children to say, "No, I can't."

699
00:43:42,567 --> 00:43:45,837
But our job is to say
to them, "Yes, you can."

700
00:43:45,834 --> 00:43:47,264
(Applause)

701
00:43:47,266 --> 00:43:49,066
Yes, you can overcome.

702
00:43:49,066 --> 00:43:51,066
Yes, you can persevere.

703
00:43:51,066 --> 00:43:54,896
Yes, you can make what you
will out of your lives.

704
00:43:54,900 --> 00:43:56,830
(Applause)

705
00:43:56,834 --> 00:44:01,904
I know they can, because I know
the character of America's young people.

706
00:44:01,900 --> 00:44:05,130
I saw them volunteer
on my campaign.

707
00:44:05,133 --> 00:44:08,503
They asked me questions
in town hall meetings.

708
00:44:08,500 --> 00:44:16,030
They write me letters about
their trials and aspirations.

709
00:44:16,033 --> 00:44:21,803
I got a letter recently
postmarked Covington, Kentucky.

710
00:44:21,800 --> 00:44:27,600
It was from Na'Dreya
Lattimore, 10 years old --

711
00:44:27,600 --> 00:44:30,830
about the same age as Sasha.

712
00:44:30,834 --> 00:44:33,904
And she told me about how
her school had closed,

713
00:44:33,900 --> 00:44:36,370
so she had enrolled in another.

714
00:44:36,367 --> 00:44:39,967
Then she had bumped up against
other barriers to what she felt

715
00:44:39,967 --> 00:44:41,167
was her potential.

716
00:44:41,166 --> 00:44:45,666
So Na'Dreya was explaining to
me how we need to improve our

717
00:44:45,667 --> 00:44:46,867
education system.

718
00:44:46,867 --> 00:44:49,497
She closed by saying this:
"One more thing," she said.

719
00:44:49,500 --> 00:44:51,170
(Laughter)

720
00:44:51,166 --> 00:44:52,436
It was a long letter.

721
00:44:52,433 --> 00:44:54,333
(Laughter)

722
00:44:54,333 --> 00:44:57,303
"You need to look
at us differently.

723
00:44:57,300 --> 00:45:00,630
We are not black, we're not
white, biracial, Hispanic,

724
00:45:00,633 --> 00:45:02,933
Asian, or any other
nationality."

725
00:45:02,934 --> 00:45:05,434
No, she wrote --
"We are the future."

726
00:45:05,433 --> 00:45:07,263
(Applause)

727
00:45:07,266 --> 00:45:09,696
Na'Dreya, you are right.

728
00:45:09,700 --> 00:45:15,630
And that's why I will keep
fighting to lead us out of this storm.

729
00:45:15,633 --> 00:45:17,933
But I'm also going to keep
fighting alongside the Urban

730
00:45:17,934 --> 00:45:21,934
League to make
America more perfect,

731
00:45:21,934 --> 00:45:24,264
so that young people
like Na'Dreya --

732
00:45:24,266 --> 00:45:28,736
people of every race,
in every region --

733
00:45:28,734 --> 00:45:33,404
are going to be able to reach
for that American Dream.

734
00:45:33,400 --> 00:45:37,300
They're going to know that
there are brighter days ahead;

735
00:45:37,300 --> 00:45:43,270
that their future is full
of boundless possibilities.

736
00:45:43,266 --> 00:45:46,196
I believe that, and I know
the Urban League does, too.

737
00:45:46,200 --> 00:45:47,170
Thank you very much, everybody.

738
00:45:47,166 --> 00:45:48,166
God bless you.

739
00:45:48,166 --> 00:45:49,636
God bless the United
States of America.

740
00:45:49,633 --> 00:45:51,503
(Applause)