Executive Director's Note

Betty Edwards

In a global economy

where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity—it is a pre-requisite. The countries that out-teach us today will out-compete us tomorrow.
President Barack Obama, February 24, 2009

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides approximately $100 billion for education and reflects a historic financial commitment by the federal government—and an opportunity to advance reforms and education improvements. Four principles guide the distribution and use of ARRA funds:

• Spend funds quickly to save and create jobs.
• Improve student achievement through school improvement and reform.
• Ensure transparency, reporting, and accountability.
• Invest one-time ARRA funds thoughtfully to minimize the "funding cliff" that can occur if funds are used for unsustainable, continuing commitments.

For educators in the United States, this is an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to ensuring a high-quality education for every student. If we don't approach this seriously, diligently, and urgently, we may never have another opportunity of this magnitude. This is the time to hold ourselves accountable for the education of all students.

Change is a word that flows from our lips with ease. However, making effective change that will affect the lives of our children and the future of our nation is not easy, nor is it simple. Honest reflection tells us that it takes the voices of many and the efforts of all to effect positive change. We must work with diligence and boldness to identify needed areas of improvement—holding the mirror up to what we have done in the past. We must operate on evidence of student learning and reflections on the effectiveness of our schools as we create the learning opportunities and structures that will prepare our students for tomorrow while ensuring them challenging and engaging educational experiences today.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is so important that a Web site has been established to provide ongoing information (www.recovery.gov). In addition, the U.S. Department of Education Web site addresses the educational components of the act (www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/index.html). At this site, you can find specifics about the act, timelines, and funding allocations and uses. Additional information can be found on our Web site (www.nmsa.org) in the section, This We Know: NMSA Washington Update.

While these funds do not affect our members in other countries, the intent and focus to reform education is certainly central to the work that we all do. Each of us must be committed to learn from each other and to provide all young adolescents with a high-quality education that will prepare them for their future—wherever they live. While President Obama's quote at the beginning of this column addresses our country "out-teaching" or "out-competing" another country, the reality is that every student in every country deserves a "world-class" education. Our global society demands it, and our students deserve it.

National Middle School Association stands ready to help middle level educators everywhere enhance the education of young adolescents, to work with schools and districts to analyze their programs and establish avenues for improvement, and to provide the resources and services necessary to move all middle grades schools "to the next level" so our students will be prepared to be successful, contributing citizens of the world.

The success of the education part of the ARRA will depend on the shared commitment and responsibility of students, parents, teachers, principals, superintendents, education boards, college presidents, state school chiefs,governors, local officials, and the federal officials. Collectively, we must advance ARRA's short-term economic goals by investing quickly, and we must support ARRA's long-term economic goals by investing wisely, using these funds to strengthen education, drive reforms, and improve results for students from early learning through post-secondary education.
U.S. Department of Education, March 7, 2009