This week, students from across college campuses made their voices heard about the high costs of education. Tuition rose as much as 38% in California making it nearly impossible for students to complete higher education goals. Millions of dollars were diverted from the schools leaving the students behind. I raise my voice in solidarity with the students today. Regardless of race, creed, color or political affiliation, these students are our future. Since my 18th birthday, I have heard President after President declare themselves to be "the education President" yet none has dealt with the issue of funding. It all starts with funding.
Remarkably, this is NOT a difficult issue to deal with. I am always amazed that the President can declare an area a disaster area and funds appear. We can agree to go to war and funds appear in staggering amounts month after month. Billions of dollars. Yet our children are driven to the streets because they cannot afford their education. At the K-12 level in my city, property taxes still fund education leaving a PERPETUAL issue with lower schools having lower performing schools and lower funded schools. Year after year property taxes are increased and voters vote their purse to stop the tax increases at the expense of our kids. States coffers are nearly empty. This affects education at all levels. We have to ask ourselves a simple question. WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO US AS A NATION AND A PEOPLE? The answer for many is clear. EDUCATION.
Take a look at the job crisis now. The higher your education level, the more likely you are to be employed. This is not hard to figure out. We are sending a mixed message to our kids. On the one hand we are telling them to stay in school. On the other hand, our policies with respect to funding education across all States make it virtually impossible for them to do so.
I am calling on parents, leaders, my sisters in S.T.E.M. professions to come together to stand with our kids today. We need every student who has a desire for higher education to succeed. It is in our national interest. The National Science Foundation has wrote to the President and made key recommendations for S.T.E.M. education. We should embrace these recommendations and support these students.
POWER TO THE STUDENTS!