Every time there is a budget shortfall, among the first programs to be cut is education. On one hand politicians assert that our children's education is our economic future. Yet, when money becomes an issue, our schools are among the first to get the axe.

This boom and bust in education must stop. The 2010 federal budget proposal expands funding for some programs, but it reduces or ends funding for other programs. And while I realize everyone wants a piece of the educational pie, it’s time we have a conversation about what works and what doesn’t and create a plan based on this information and fund it. Every state has some problems that are different than others, so we need to make these decisions on a state or regional basis. Education should be at the top, not somewhere in the middle, of the budget pie.

Many of our schools need repair or replacement. Equipment is lacking to provide needed skills; for instance, few jobs remain that do not require at least rudimentary computer skills.

Beyond K-12:

Limiting public education to the 12th grade leaves our youth unequipped to compete in the labor market and hinders our ability to compete globally. We must move our educational system into the 21st century by providing a free college education.

Too many of our students give up without fulfilling their potential. They know they will be unable to pay for a higher education and they fear taking the risk of loans. If education is available to them, nothing will stop them from working to attain a brighter future.

As many businesses have learned, you can often accomplish good things without a brick and mortar building. Granted many need the benefit of a college campus. But others can and do learn from an on-line environment, which is much more economical than maintaining a building. For example, we already have Insight School of Washington.

We also need vocational schools for those students who do not want higher education. Schools should expand their partnerships with trade organizations like electricians and plumbers to teach these skills to the next generation of workers.

We know we need teachers, health care technicians, primary care providers, scientists, mathematicians, and engineers, among other professions in the very near future. Some are needed right now. We should also fund higher education for those skills necessary to our economic health.

In addition to those who need an education, we have millions of students across the country drowning in student loan debt in an economy that is still shedding jobs.  We must do something for these students.  Low simple interest loans that can be put in abeyance until the economy recovers and they can find jobs, would be a start.  Payments based on a percentage of income would help others.  And those who are facing other challenges, such a serious illness or disability, they should be allowed to discharge this debt in bankruptcy.