We must redouble our efforts to help all students who enter college or trade school earn their degrees and certificates. More than one-third of students who enter college or trade school drop out before they earn a certificate or degree. Investments in human capital deserve the same favorable tax treatment as those in equipment. The Dual Degree initiative to increase opportunities for minority students to earn advanced degrees. Critical investments in elementary and secondary education.
All students ought to be held to high academic expectations.
Increase economic opportunities for disadvantaged youth. Over the past seven years, President Clinton and Vice President Gore have implemented an unprecedented array of initiatives to expand college opportunities. Student loans are cheaper and can be repaid based on the ability to pay. AmeriCorps has given over 150,000 young people the chance to earn their way through college by serving their country and their communities. The GEAR UP initiative is raising college aspirations for 450,000 at-risk teenagers.