Clearly, the face of poverty in America today is that of a child. Children make up 40 percent of America's poor, and it hurts them. It hurts them terribly. It stunts their growth, impairs their healthy and successful development, undermines their ability to be ready for school, and reduces their likeliness of success in school. Schools pay more when poor children need special education or must repeat a grade.
Businesses pay more when poor children grow up to be less educated, less productive workers.
Taxpayers pay more for education, social services, medical care, and for the criminal justice system that must respond to societal problems caused by poverty, illiteracy, and poor health . But the news on the child education front is not all bleak. While the challenges facing education in America today are great, the public's interest in improving the quality of education is also great. Concern about the quality of education was at the top of the list in numerous public opinion polls taken in 1998. This heightened level of public attention provides a unique opportunity for leadership in achieving the kinds of educational reform that will benefit all children and the nation.