Jimmy Carter

“ It is appropriate that we honor what is right and good in education in America today-the dedicated, searching teachers who demand much of themselves and their students, who push beyond failure and discouragement to light the spark of understanding. ”

“ We have come long way toward providing access to schools for all our people, and we provide enormous resources for education. We can be proud of that progress, as we are proud of the progress of many of our students, both youngsters and adults. But we must also recognize that many young Americans still emerge from our schools inadequately prepared to take up the responsibilities of adult life. Others have not been sufficiently challenged to develop their full potential.
Teaching has never been easy, and inspiring students is more difficult still. ”

“ Our founders assumed that an educated electorate was essential to a strong, healthy democracy. Freedom of speech, thought and inquiry are part of the basic structure of our society, and we share a fundamental belief that education can provide the key to overcoming all our problems. ”