Staying Busy - ED Hits Texas, Arizona, California, and New York!

The presidential candidates aren't the only ones crossing the nation to spread their messages. This week, ED in '08 has events from coast to coast, from press meetings in California to film screenings and panel discussions in New York. We'll be campaigning in Texas for the busy primary tomorrow, and speaking in Washington, DC today, all in order to raise awareness of the critical role education plays in future of our nation. More and more people are asking about education in this election, and we're working hard to make sure those questions get answered.

Since we know education is a top-priority issue for Latino voters, and with such attention being cast on the Latino vote in tomorrow's Texas primary, our field coordinator Aaron Seligman is headed to McAllen, Dallas, and Corpus Christi for interviews on Spanish language TV. He'll also be working to get out the word about ED in '08. Expect pictures coming soon on our ED in '08 Flickr page!

Meanwhile, today in Arizona, policy analyst Adam Thibault is speaking to the 10th Annual Education Industry Investment Forum in Phoenix, delivering an address called, "The 2008 Election and the Economics of Education Reform."

Before he left for Arizona, Adam showed me the remarks he plans to give this afternoon, and I've decided to share a few of them below. I think his key message - that investment in our public schools will have lasting benefits for our national economy - is one that can not be ignored, and I'm pleased so many policy makers, parents, and business leaders are taking the time today to listen.

Adam Thibault: Speech to the Education Industry Investment Forum
March 3, 2008 - Phoenix, AZ

"The American Dream is at risk.  So is our nation's economic competitiveness.  America's high school students rank in the bottom third of industrialized countries in math skills, problem-solving ability, and graduation rates.  A recent report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development concluded that inadequate education is one of the biggest challenges facing the U.S. economy.  It reads:

�A country's ability to compete in an ever more integrated world economy depends on a highly educated workforce.  However, with many countries making more progress in this respect, the United States has lost its leading position.'

A crisis of this magnitude demands serious debate and serious solutions.
Americans deserve to hear each presidential candidate's specific ideas for solving these urgent problems.  Achieving long-term solutions to many of the other issues debated on the campaign trail�such as, national security, the economy, and health care�will depend on addressing our system of American education.

Increasing our economic competitiveness requires strengthening K-12 schools.  Strengthening our schools requires the creation of high and common standards for our schools, new recruitment incentives for our teachers, and more time and support for our students.  By tomorrow we may know the last two candidates standing in this protracted election season.  It is our duty as business leaders, educators, and policymakers to urge those candidates to talk about the economics of education reform and to offer bold solutions for the education crisis."