Education

Figure:7
(source: http://www.socialist.net)

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. 

Nelson Mandela (source: http://www.brainyquote.com)

I really wanted to bring up education because our future depends on our children.  One day they are going to run this country.  It is really true when it is said that you reap what you sow.  When we invest in our children, we are investing in everyone.  As a parent I know how important it is to have a good education for my children, that is easy for me to place value in.  On a community level, I can see how critical it is to have well educated children.  On a national level, it is sometimes harder for people to see a bigger picture.  It is a lot harder for people to want to put time, effort, and especially money towards an education system that they do not think affects them.

Figure: 8

(Resource: http://www.imvu.com)

In the grand view of it all, it does affect every single one of us, directly and indirectly.  Reading is critical for many reasons, it is easier to realize the importance of having good reading and verbal skills.  However, math and the sciences are extremely important as well.  We are living in a technological world, and there is a strong need for people with strong math and science skills.  Math can be applied to any job, even those at a fast food chain or in a grocery store.  According to the article Economics of Education Review, “an individual with stronger math skills is likely to be qualified for different occupations than an individual with weaker math skills, and may be more or less successful conditional on occupation type”.  In essence, a person has a increased chance at securing a better job, even if they do not go on to college, just based on math skills alone. Our future is dependent upon our children, and our children's future is dependent upon their quality of education.


http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272775711001531

The link above will take you to the article Economics of Education Review.

This is a video of former D.C. school official, Michelle Rhee.


Here is a link to CNN, they have compiled a wide range of information to cover education from a multitude of angles.  Topics covered range from bullying to parenting.
http://schoolsofthought.blogs.cnn.com/

Here is an article that discusses how our children are still being left behind. THe author explores how our children still have not gotten what they need.
http://seattletimes.com/html/opinion/2019291646_gersoncolumnbehindnewxml.html