Max Cleland: “one thing behind the growth of the American economy is our educational system. There is good news and bad news about our…”

“one thing behind the growth of the American economy is our educational system. There is good news and bad news about our educational system today. In a climate that currently seems filled with more dissent than accord, I think we can at least agree that elected officials on both sides of the aisle are in lockstep with the American people on the importance of education: It is a priority so critical that it should be at the top of our national agenda. This is a view very similar to the opinion held by President Lincoln almost 150 years ago. ``Upon the subject of education,'' Lincoln said, ``not presuming to dictate any plan or system respecting it, I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we, as a people, can be engaged in.'' Education's priority having been espoused by both sides during this Congress, it is profoundly disappointing that S. 2, the critically important legislation to reauthorize the landmark Elementary and Education Act, appears to be dead for this year. What a shame.”