Former West Virginia Governor Bob Wise Addresses the National Council of La Raza on the Need for Education Reform

SAN DIEGO, July 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- FormerWest Virginia Governor Bob Wise, advisor to Strong American Schools, president of The Alliance for Excellent Education, and author of Raising the Grade: How High School Reform Can Save Our Youth And Our Nation called today on thousands from the Latino community, in attendance at the National Council of La Raza's Annual Conference, to continue to make education reform a priority. Wise, who cited recent polls that show education as a top issue of concern for Latinos, also urged the nation's leaders to win the race to education excellence.

"Almost fifty years ago, President Kennedy challenged the nation to win the race to the moon and people responded with renewed vigor and aptitude in the sciences," said Wise. "Today our nation's leaders have the same responsibility. They must challenge the nation to win the race to education excellence. Our schools are in peril and the time to act is now."

Wise, who was joined by National Council of La Raza President & CEO Janet Murguia, Tom Nelson, andUnited States Representative Joe Baca, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said that America's future economic security depends upon the skills and knowledge of our students.

"Our struggling education system must be fixed in order to safeguard the economic future of American students and guarantee they are ready for college, work, and life," said Wise.

Recent polls show that as Americans focus on the vital issues facing this country, education remains at the forefront. Rasmussen's most recent poll found, for the second month in a row, that nearly 90 percent of Americans believe education is important, ahead of health care and immigration. The Pew Hispanic Center recently found that 94 percent of Latino voters said that education is extremely or very important to them, coming in above health care, the economy, and education.

"Given the uncertain economy, the emergence of education as a consistent top-tier issue signifies Americans recognize the future of the country depends on its ability to prepare our children to compete within a global economy," added Wise.

"Almost one third of our kids are not graduating from high school. It is costly to the nation. The difference in lifetime earnings between a high school dropout and a college graduate is over one million dollars," said Wise, who offered three solutions to address America's education crisis including: setting standards higher, placing an effective teacher in every classroom and ensuring students are spending enough time in school.

Editor's note: To speak with ED in '08 senior officials, please contact the ED in '08 press office at 202. 870. 1097.

CONTACT: Krista Zaharias, (202) 870-1097 - cell, Krista.Zaharias@StrongAmericanSchools.org

SOURCE ED in '08

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