President Barack Obama Terry Pratchett Discworld 26: Thief Of Time Cd8 download issued a powerful challenge to his own administration and to all American citizens to commit to get at least one year of college education so that the country can regain its top position as the best educated nation in the world.

“We will provide the support necessary for you to complete college and meet a new goal; that by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world” Obama had said during a speech after the he had signed the ARRA bill of 2009.

President Obama identified education as one of the top three priorities along with energy and health care. He had emphasized that his administration will give significant attention and investment in giving every American an opportunity to get a college education even if the government need s to get its spending under control to ensure the country’s long-term economic vitality.

In his speech, Obama did not just spoke about the government’s responsibility to ensure American citizens with a chance to get a college education but also the Americans obligation to take advantage of the opportunities provided for them to get one.

The president said that, the government will do its part. His administration is off to a fast start in building significant funds for student aid into the economic stimulus plan and in providing the resources necessary to prevent painful cuts and teacher layoffs for schools and colleges in all the states of America.

Obama said that, the resources have been allocated in the 2010 budget and he plans to submit it to Congress the following day. He also warned in the speech that his administration would get federal spending under control, generally by ending education programs that do not work. The president said that the country must continue to invest in the three areas that are absolutely critical to their economic future: energy, health care and education.

“But just as it is the responsibility of politicians and educators to provide opportunity and to make the education system work” Obama said “it is the responsibility of every citizen to participate in it. And so tonight, I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be community college or a four-year school, vocational training or an apprenticeship.

“But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma,” he continued. “And dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It is not just quitting on yourself, it is quitting on your country and this country needs and values the talents of every American.”

The president had heartened every college leaders present during his speech. “That is the strongest statement we have ever heard about the importance of postsecondary education” said Terry W. Hartle, senior vice president for public and government affairs of the American Council of Education.