Economic Recovery, Educational Renewal

By Bruce Fuller

Few educators or political junkies wagered that Barack Obama would lift the schools early in his presidency. An imploding economy, two military fronts, and a sickly health care system would trump the urgency of education reform.

Well, all bets are off.

Mr. Obama, preparing to take the oath of office as the nation’s 44th president this week, suddenly put the schools front and center in sending a more than $700 billion stimulus package up to Capitol Hill. He has pledged to put people back to work by “modernizing schools that are failing our children.” Aiming to create 3 million jobs and lift the economy onto sustainable foundations, the new president has promised to rehabilitate the nation’s schools by repairing buildings...