Education Plan

President Bush’s and Education Secretary Lamar Alexander’s new education plan--”America 2000”--is a bold, far-reaching strategy to help us improve education in this country. Appropriately, it recognizes the direct link between schools and the skills of today’s and tomorrow’s work force. It underscores the fact that the quality of both are vital for America to remain economically competitive.

By attempting to make K-12 schools more accountable, this plan reinforces the idea that these schools must lay the foundation on which post-secondary institutions can build the specific skills people need to be productive members of society.

President Bush says we must turn “a nation at risk” into a “nation of students.” It is important that all those who want to pursue a post-secondary education are able to do so. Very often student financial aid plays a major role in determining whether or not students can pursue their education. Congress is in the process of reworking all student financial aid programs.

As a leader of California Skills 2000, I know that private career colleges in California and throughout the country will do their part to ensure American workers have the job skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace. They will play a major role in helping us reach President Bush’s education goals and ensuring that we have a work force that is second to none.

JAY OLINS

Executive Director

California Assn. of Private

Postsecondary Schools

Sacramento