Obama Defends Education Policies to Critics

(AP)  Challenging civil rights organizations and teacher's unions that have criticized his education policies, President Barack Obama said Thursday that minority students have the most to gain from overhauling the nation's schools.

"We have an obligation to lift up every child in every school in this country, especially those who are starting out furthest behind," Obama told the centennial convention of the National Urban League.

The Urban League has been a vocal critic of Obama's education policies, most notably the $4.35 billion "Race to the Top" program that awards grants to states based on their plans for innovative education reforms. A report released earlier this week by eight civil rights groups, including the Urban League, says federal data shows that just 3 percent of the nation's black students and less than 1 percent of Latino students are affected by the first round of the administration's "Race to the Top" competition.

Obama pushed back Thursday, arguing that minority students are the ones who have been hurt the most by the status quo.

Obama's reforms have also drawn criticism from education advocates, including prominent teachers' unions like the American Federation of Teachers, who have argued that the reforms set unfair standards for teacher performance.

Obama said the goal isn't to fire or admonish teachers, but to create a culture of accountability. He pinned some of the criticism on a resistance to change.

"We get comfortable with the status quo even when the status quo isn't good," he said. "When you try to shake things up, sometimes people aren't happy."

Obama laid the groundwork for what he called "an honest conversation" about education with comments on several recent developments that were designed as sweeteners for his mostly minority audience.

For instance, he said his goal with his domestic agenda, including the economy, health care and other priorities, is to create "an economy that lifts all Americans - not just some, but all." That comment earned him significant applause and pleased murmurs in the room.

The president also said he very much looks forward to signing a bill recently passed by Congress to reduce the disparities between mandatory crack and powder cocaine sentences. The matter has been a longtime thorn for the black community, as the quarter-century-old law that Congress changed has subjected tens of thousands of blacks to long prison terms for crack cocaine convictions while giving far more lenient treatment to those, mainly whites, caught with the powder form of the drug.

"We got it done," Obama said. "It's the right thing to do."

And he forthrightly addressed the racial firestorm over the recent ouster of a black Agriculture Department official. He said the forced resignation of Shirley Sherrod "marked both the challenges we face and the progress we've made."

"She deserves better than what happened last week," Obama said.

[Smokey75]

I don't know who these racist think they are but they should not be questioning the Almighty One Obama. It has to be because he is black why they don't like his plan. It couldn?t possibly be because it is a bad plan, He is the first black president so none of his ideas are bad and if you think there bad YOU ARE A RACIST!

[Lifeson2112]

LOL!

[stevador39]

This nation was the first to build a public education system. It is one of the greatest thing we have ever done. Obama is now trying to destroy it. He wasts to give our tax dollars to private, charter schools and leave public education stripped of money and burdened with illegal immigrants. Impeach B.O.

[ahzes_ponim]

Why is it that some people have always needed and continue to need special programs? What might be wrong with them?

[tsigili]

The real numbers show that minority students don't care about school, and they often drop out of high school.

The opportunities for those who apply themselves, have been present for a long time, and it has made a difference, but you will never change the culture that makes minorities not value education.

[Lifeson2112]

Well put.