Yet too many children in America are segregated by low expectations, illiteracy, and self-doubt. In a constantly changing world that demands increasingly complex skills from its work force, children are being left behind. Today, nearly 70 percent of low-income fourth graders are unable to read at a basic level on national reading tests. Our high school seniors trail students in most industrialized nations on international math tests. And nearly a third of our college freshmen find they must take a remedial course before they are able to even begin regular college level courses.
Bipartisan solutions are within our reach.
The President's first budget translates those principles into programs. From Principles to Programs The President believes that while the Federal Government properly plays a partnership role in the education of our children, education remains primarily a State and local government responsibility. The Reading First Reform Agenda Research indicates that reading is the gateway to all learning. This is especially tragic since research has identified reading instruction methods that work. The President proposes a Reading First reform agenda, aimed at intervening early to build the strong reading skills all children need to succeed.