Ending Poverty in America, by John Edwards: on Education

Invest in rural community colleges as practical job training

It is important not to overlook rural America, as policymakers too often do. We should invest in community colleges, which provide practical job training, and rural small-business centers to help entrepreneur get off the ground. Some willing workers cannot find jobs without skills, experience, or references. We know that innovative programs can help these workers. Source: Ending Poverty in America, by John Edwards, p.260 Apr 2, 2007

College for Everyone pilot: $300,000 to 80 N.C. students

My program “College for Everyone” would make the 1st year of college free for all qualified students who take a part-time job. Over the last 2 years this idea has become a reality. A pilot program in Greene County SC has provided over $300,000 in aid to more than 80 students, & college enrollment has increased by 25%. Many of these students never dreamed of going to college, & they now know that if they are willing to work hard, college is a real option. Every child deserves the same opportunity. Source: Ending Poverty in America, by John Edwards, p.262 Apr 2, 2007

Create “Second Chance” schools to get dropouts back on track

There is no challenge more central to the fight against poverty than giving every American the opportunities created by a good education. Our nation is failing to offer an adequate education to every child. Today almost one in three students does not graduate from high school. The numbers are even higher for minority students, who on average, are four years behind their peers by the end of high school. Meanwhile those students who do graduate from high school are finding college tuition growing faster than family incomes, student debt rising, and scholarship aid failing to keep pace. Not surprisingly in this environment, qualified students from low-income families are far less likely to enroll in college than their peers.

We need to transform education at every level, from expanding preschool opportunities to paying teachers more to teach where we need them most, from reforming our underperforming high schools to creating 2nd -Chance schools to help former dropouts get back on track

Source: Ending Poverty in America, by John Edwards, p.262 Apr 2, 2007

The above quotations are from Ending Poverty in America How to Restore the American Dream, edited by John Edwards, Marion Crain, and Arne Kalleberg. Click here for definitions & background information on Education. Click here for other issues (main summary page). Click here for more quotes by John Edwards on Education.
*Candidates and political leaders on Education:*
*Incoming Obama Administration:* Pres.:Sen.Barack Obama V.P.:Sen.Joe Biden State:Hillary Clinton Staff:Rahm Emanuel Treas.:Tim Geithner DoD:Robert Gates A.G.:Eric Holder DHS:Janet Napolitano DoC:Bill Richardson	*Outgoing Bush Administration:* Pres.:George Bush V.P.:Dick Cheney A.G.:John Ashcroft(2005) DEA:Asa Hutchinson(2005) USDA:Mike Johanns(2007) EPA:Mike Leavitt HUD:Mel Martinez(2003) State:Colin Powell(2005) State:Condoleezza Rice HHS:Tommy Thompson(2005)	*2008 Presidential contenders:* AIP: Frank McEnulty Constitution: Chuck Baldwin GOP: Sen.John McCain GOP VP: Gov.Sarah Palin Green: Rep.Cynthia McKinney Independent: Ralph Nader Liberation: Gloria La Riva Libertarian: Rep.Bob Barr NAIP: Amb.Alan Keyes Socialist: Brian Moore
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