Presidential+Education+Proposal

= = =HOPE: Heights of Opportunity and Performance in Education=

HOPE is a platform for education that will advance America's schools into the 21st Century. Bring HOPE to every child and classroom in America!

America's destiny is to lead the emerging global culture. The goal of HOPE is to prepare American students to take their place on the global stage as the brightest and most committed generation that our country has ever nurtured.

If we are to succeed in this task we must rely on the very values that have made America the great nation it is today! These values have been responsible for the development of democracy and liberty, the fight against tyranny in all of its forms, advances in science and technology, the pursuit of equity, and the creation of the most tolerant multi-cultural society in the world. We must draw upon and deepen such values as self reliance, generosity, humor, patience, adventure, and tolerance if we are to open up a broad educational path to assure our future.

We emphasize "heights" because we must transcend current federal educational policies that stress minimal standards and punitive measures. Although the challenges are formidable, we collectively must make a national commitment to help every child reach heights of opportunity and performance. Our collective will must be strong enough to bring forth fresh energies to address even educational problems that have been highly resistant to change.

We believe that our eight-points, composed of four premises and four programs, will undergird the vitality of American K-12 education and especially inject HOPE in communities that need to build traditions of educational success.

__Four Premises__
THE EDUCATIVE SOCIETY **--** The overriding purpose of our nation must be to support education in all of its forms.

THE CREATIVE NATION **--** To solve the formidable obstacles of the new century our educational system must conscientiously foster creativity.

"EVERY CHILD IS MY CHILD:" A MARSHALL PLAN FOR SHARED PARTNERSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY -- We all must commit to a Marshall Plan to improve education in schools and communities that need support.

EDUCATION FOR GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP **--** Our schools must have a focus for the curriculum; we must prepare our students to be global citizens and global leaders.

__Four Programs__
FINDING NEW TALENT, NEW SOURCES OF ENERGY TO HELP SCHOOLS BECOME VICTORIOUS -- We need to find and empower new talent and new sources of organization to open opportunity and performance in communities where schools have not been able to reach vast numbers of children.

SMART AND OPEN TESTING -- We need to continue to have accountability systems but they must be flexible and smarter.

21ST CENTURY LITERACY -- HOPE offers a vision for literacy in the new millennium.

EDUCATION OF EDUCATORS **--** Professional development for inner-city and rurual schools.