"But does he really believe our government-run public schools can accomplish that?"
Probably not.
But neither can schools whose academic standards are set by local or even state leadership.
I've watched to many of my kids' friends get hanked out of the tough math and science classes by parents who want them to have more time for extracurricular activities or so they will "enjoy being a kid."
I've also watched the improvement in Texas school standards over the past 15 years or so, since "no-pass, no-play" and mandatory testing were enacted. Bush's "No Child" ideas came from what was being done here, and I've seen first-hand, from the inside, how much better our schools are now.
I speak as the parent of three kids who either have, or soon will, degrees in engineering from top-notch university. The youngest will get his degree this year and continue graduate studies in quantum optics.
And he'll be doing with as a minority, his white ancestors on these shores since the 1600s, his classmates from nations who are overtaking us in technology.
Folks, this is important. Literacy and competence in math and science is vital to our nation's economic security, much as is energy independence.
Get behind the President on this. The guy's a visionary, he's right on this, and he only has a few years remaining to do what he can. Don't slow him down.
And please forgive the typos. I need to learn to proofread!