You did that and you should be very proud of it. Because of the things that have been done, we can make college as universal in the 21st century as high school is today. And, my friends, that will change the face and future of America. We have opened wide the doors of the world's best system of higher education. Thanks to the actions of this Congress last year, we will soon have, for the very first time, a voluntary national test based on national standards in 4th grade reading and 8th grade math.
Parents have a right to know whether their children are mastering the basics.
My balanced budget will help to hire 100,000 new teachers who have passed a state competency test. If I've got the math right, more teachers teaching smaller classes requires more classrooms. We must also demand greater accountability. When we promote a child from grade to grade who hasn't mastered the work, we don't do that child any favors. It is time to end social promotion in America's schools.