I think Obama has an outstanding chance to give children the motivation to work hard in school and make a better life for themselves. Particularly some minority children whose surroundings make the idea of a better life hard to believe - unless they make money from crime, music or athletics.
But BHO talking in schools should be a politicized issue based on his plans.
BHO's education agenda includes civilian service - and it's been passed into law - but not widely reported by MSM. At first he wanted it to be mandatory but now there are just financial incentives for service. I have a feeling it will be big news in 2010 as BHO has requested $1.1 billion to fund that first year. I'm not saying that it's a "hitler youth group" - but parents should know about it.
H.R.1388 -
The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act - was made law April 21, 2009.
Text of the
"Serve America Act":
Link
OpenCongress Summary:
Link
Quote:
The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act (formally the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act) authorizes a dramatic funding increase for AmeriCorps and other volunteer programs, and the creation of new programs for seniors and veterans. It establishes a goal of expanding from 75,000 government-supported volunteers to 250,000, and would increase education funding and establish a summer volunteer program for students, paying $500 (which would be applied to college costs) to high-school and middle-school student who participate.
President Barack Obama signed the legislation on April 21, 2009. While it authorizes $5.7 billion over six years, Congress must still approve the funding as part of the budget.
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Makes sense to me that it would follow the administration's agenda to
Integrate Service into Learning:
- Expand Service-Learning in Our Nation's Schools: Set a goal that all middle and high school students do 50 hours of community service a year. Develop national guidelines for service learning and give schools better tools both to develop programs and to document student experience.
- Expand Youth Programs: Create an energy-focused youth jobs program to provide disadvantaged youth with service opportunities weatherizing buildings and getting practical experience in fast-growing career fields. Expand the YouthBuild program to give 50,000 disadvantaged young people the chance to complete their high school education, learn valuable skills and build affordable housing in their communities.
- Require 100 Hours of Service in College: Establish a new American Opportunity Tax Credit worth $4,000 a year in exchange for 100 hours of public service a year.
- Promote College Serve-Study: Ensure that at least 25 percent of College Work-Study funds are used to support public service opportunities instead of jobs in dining halls and libraries.
Link