In a recent speech to the National Urban League, President Obama was defending his education initiative with the following statement:  "It's an economic issue when 8 in 10 new jobs will require workforce training or higher education by the end of this decade.  It's an economic issue when we know that countries that outeducate us today will outcompete us tomorrow."  According to the report in the New York Times, many concerns have been voiced about the Race to the Top program's ability to help struggling schools with high minority rates. 

President Obama is correct.  Education is an economic issue.  We must be constantly, proactively seeking ways to deepen and strengthen our public school systems.  Where we disagree is in the methodology.  Obama would argue that the Race to the Top competition will breed competitiveness which pushes folks to perform better.  I would argue that some schools, school systems, and even states are so far behind that they can't possibly be competing in the same race.  One is a sprint: let's propose a lot of changes and see how it turns out.  The other is a marathon: let's train and plan, and train and plan, for the changes that will ultimately see us to the finish line.  I think we need the marathon approach here. 

I would agree with Obama's statement that it is an economic issue when 8 out of every 10 jobs will require workforce training or higher education by the end of this decade.  So what allowances for that workforce training has Obama's Race made?  What would be radical is to change the mindset of Americans, especially those in government, who only see the value in a diploma from an accredited university.  Workforce training will be, and already is, vital to the success and improvement of our economy.  I'm just not sure that enough focus is being put on that essential element.  It really is ok for some folks not to go to college.  In fact, it's better that way.