Tonight is the State of the Union address. Across the nation, folks are looking at this speech to either make or break President Obama's Administration (no pressure there). And while Eduflack continues to hear those in the education community expect that education reform will be front and center in tonight's speech, I have my doubts. With an hour-long time slot likely to be interrupted by applause (and hopefully no more "you lies"), there is a lot to talk about. We have wars and national security. Jobs and the economy. Healthcare and Haiti. At best, I suspect education will get a few paragraphs about two-thirds of the way through the address.
So what do we do with those few paragraphs? We've already heard that Obama intends to freeze all discretionary non-security funding for the next three years. And while many say there is wiggle room to exempt some of our new education funding streams, we need to be practical. Any mention of education, no matter how small and large, is not likely to be about dollars. It is going to be about vision, hope, and promise. If past Administrations are any indication, staff is scurrying today to make final edits to the draft, ensuring that it reflects the latest news and the most promising ideas.
Eduflack can't let such a time pass without offering a few of his own thoughts on the "education section" for tonight. If I had my speechwriting shingle hanging in the West Wing these days, hears what deal ol' Eduflack would be looking to get on the teleprompter for this evening:
"My fellow Americans, I know these are uncertain times wrought with worry and concern. The value of our homes continues to slide. For those fortunate enough to hold a job, wages are stagnant and