I have called for more dual-immersion schools to help children learn English and another language. We currently have 260 such schools in the U. S., and I'd like to see that number grow to 1,000. The president and I have asked Congress for funds to help achieve this. I have also asked our colleges and universities to encourage many more students, teachers, and scholars to participate in exchange programs. My friends, as secretary of education, I've had the chance to visit many other nations, and I can tell you that the people of the world are more education-minded than ever before.
All responsible leaders know that the fate of their nation is linked to education.
This is a great awakening that is long overdue. There are 135 million children in the world who do not get any schooling at all. And about 800 million adults cannot read or write. This is a great challenge, but it is also a great opportunity. We can use the Information Age to make unprecedented progress and lift educational levels throughout the world to heights we've only dreamed of.