February 24, 2009
Posted: February 24th, 2009 09:50 PM ET
President Barack Obama on Tuesday called for all Americans to commit to at least one year of higher education or career training.
President Barack Obama on Tuesday called for all Americans to commit to at least one year of higher education or career training.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – President Barack Obama on Tuesday called for all Americans to commit to at least one year of higher education or career training.

"This can be community college or a four-year school; vocational training or an apprenticeship," he said in his address to a joint session of Congress.

"But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma."

He touted the billions for education - from early childhood education expansion to college-loan programs - in his recently approved economic stimulus package and set a goal of having the highest college graduation rate in the world by 2020.

Filed under: Obama address


Why Higher Education?   February 25th, 2009 2:09 am ET

Why encourage ones to apprentice and improove education?
When the corporations and small businesses have there taxes increased they won't be able to afford to hire more workers, and if they do they won't be able to afford to pay them what they used to pay them. Not when their taxes are increased.

E.J. in Tacoma   February 25th, 2009 2:03 am ET

We must have a educated country to compete in the worlds markets and keep up with the ever surging technological advances!

Steve in Las Vegas,NV   February 25th, 2009 12:52 am ET

The fact remains higher education is so very important for our future, but the costs for it are breathtakingly high.

College should be affordable to those who want and need to attend, but way too many simply cannot afford it and that's a shame.

This must be a priority is any plan and must be at the top of the list.

Hillary B.   February 25th, 2009 12:43 am ET

I loved the comment the president made that when students drop out of high school they're not just quitting on themselves, they're quitting on their country or something like that. Basically meaning that we all have an obligation to our country to become the most productive that we can in order to give back. I thought it was also great when he called on everyone to obtain at least a year of higher education.

fred   February 25th, 2009 12:40 am ET

I'm in college and I can say that Americans DON'T need a college education to make it. There are plenty of jobs which don't require higher education, such as in the music industry, which is where I'm headed.

Henry Miller, Cary, NC   February 24th, 2009 11:38 pm ET

Fine–as long as it's more productive, and less pointless, than NCLB.

Lisa   February 24th, 2009 11:07 pm ET

Brilliant!

Becky Lauter   February 24th, 2009 11:06 pm ET

It's hard for people to commit to higher education when schools are allowed to charge such ridiculous tuition!

Not only that, but tell the government to bail us out of our student loans, so that we can spend our money to stimulate the economy instead of adding it back to the government's coffers (with the added interest we pay) to be spent on special interests and making sure they are happy!

John   February 24th, 2009 10:34 pm ET

Kummit to hier edukashun?

I don't need that. I got my skateboard, iPod and an internet.

Thank you President Obama   February 24th, 2009 10:31 pm ET

now we are talking...education is the key...so true....

Dr. Judy   February 24th, 2009 10:16 pm ET

We MUST educate our nation.

Question   February 24th, 2009 10:06 pm ET

McCain where is Osama???? You said during your presidential run that you knew where Osama was and how to catch him. We are waiting!!!!!

The Watcher   February 24th, 2009 9:59 pm ET

You want to improve education...cut out multiple choice questions. Let's adopt the British standard and really learn to critically think. That way we weed out the knuckleheads who'll eventually go into politics anyway.

Jake   February 24th, 2009 9:55 pm ET

Be careful what you wish for, educated people don't vote for Democrats.

Chuck   February 24th, 2009 9:55 pm ET

If Pelosi had higher education she would have not worn that burlap bag on national TV!

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

twitter
hambypCNN: Steele and Kaine square off on health care, jobs, and Steele talks (a little bit) about his new book ... http://bit.ly/6kbvKz
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:37:59 -0800
@HornickCNN: White House to government: Continue to open up: http://bit.ly/6SC11i
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:07:15 -0800
hambypCNN: Michael Steele has a book coming out in Jan. Asked about it on CNN, Steele demurs: "Ya, that's what I'm hearing somewhere down the line."
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:52:08 -0800
hambypCNN: @DanDoranBlum nice. hopefully you get two big wins over Pitt in one week.
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:42:32 -0800
hambypCNN: @AP_Ken_Thomas excellent duane spencer reference. let's try to work in lee scruggs, too, before the season ends.
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:14:50 -0800
Categories
Powered by WordPress.com VIP