President Obama laid out his vision for making education a top priority for his administration in a speech earlier this week. "The future belongs to the nation that best educates its citizens," he told attendees at a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce event. "It is time to give all Americans a complete and competitive education from the cradle up through a career." During his address, the president outlined the five pillars of his education agenda, which make up his plan to "end what has become a race to the bottom in our schools and instead spur a race to the top."

• Invest in Early Childhood Initiatives

  Addressing the $5 billion investment in Early Head Start and Head Start included in the economic stimulus bill, as well as his support for increasing access to quality child care, President Obama said, "For every dollar we invest in these programs, we get nearly $10 back in reduced welfare rolls, fewer health care costs, and less crime."

• Encourage Better Standards and Assessments

  On the issue of standards and assessments in our nation's schools, the president implored states to "stop low-balling expectations for our kids" and, instead, raise the bar through tougher and clearer standards. "I'm calling on our nation's governors and state education chiefs to develop standards and assessments that don't simply measure whether students can fill in a bubble on a test," he said, "but whether they possess 21st century skills like problem-solving and critical thinking and entrepreneurship and creativity."

• Recruit, Prepare, and Reward Outstanding Teachers

  The president highlighted teachers as the school-related factor that most affects student success and emphasized the role of the stimulus bill in curtailing teacher layoffs during the financial crisis. He also called on "a new generation of Americans to step forward and serve our country in our classrooms" and outlined ways to better prepare teachers and keep them in the profession. He touted his support for incentive pay, for teacher accountability, and for ensuring that successful teachers remain in the classroom while those who need improvement get the help they need to ensure student success.

• Promote Innovation and Excellence in America's Schools

  To foster greater innovation in U.S. schools, President Obama called on states to allow for more charter schools while adopting rigorous selection and review criteria to ensure greater quality and accountability in the programs. He also discussed adjusting the current academic calendar, saying it would require us "not only to expand effective after-school programs, but to rethink the school day to incorporate more time—whether during the summer or through expanded-day programs for children who need it." And, referring to the nation's high school dropout crisis, he reiterated his call for students to take responsibility for their own education and highlighted investments in his budget proposal that will help to develop ways to keep at-risk students in school and give dropouts the option to return to finish their education. "Dropping out is quitting on yourself," he said. "It's quitting on your country, and it's not an option—not anymore."

• Provide Every American with Quality Higher Education

  Finally, the president emphasized the importance of making college and technical training more affordable and accessible. "In just a single generation," he said, "America has fallen from 2nd place to 11th place in the portion of students completing college. That is unfortunate, but it's by no means irreversible." He announced plans to simplify the application process for federal student aid, and he called on Congress to help him make higher education possible for 7 million more students through investments put forward in his budget proposal.