While I love the idea of Pell Grants being acessed by students, this is a small amount of money overall…not even reaching 1% of the whole in government spending. Truly the election should not be focused on such a small amount, let’s look at the larger aspects of the picture.

Also, “For this country to rise, they must rise…” This statement is true, yet it’s faith misplaced. This country must rise, but there are SO MANY factors at play in the student’s lives it is silly to even think that rules and regulations could truly help them “rise”. If the students do not desire to learn, the will choose not to learn. If the teachers (especially those in tenure) decide not to teach FOR their students, they will not teach FOR their students. What really needs to change are morals. If parents cannot be involved in their children’s lives, why? If students in high school today are dropping out at an alarming rate, why? If there is violence, murder, hate, and gang activity in an area, why? Mere laws cannot change the actions of any one person. The change lies in the heart/morals. Each person is responsible for their own decisions along with taking the fire of the consequences. This, I believe, is a rare-known fact in much of the American community. To be honest, this is my least favorite of truths!

Now concerning the elementary school children in Title 1 schools. (Assuming that the poverty-stricken children referred to are mostly attending a Title 1 school.) It is heart breaking to me, a soon-to-be graduate of an elementary education program, that these children are at such a disadvantage compared to those who are left with better means of life. Unfortuantely, nothing can truly fix their situation but a parent’s determination to be with their child and to see they make it through the thick and thin coming out a champion. Even then, there is only so much even the most determined parent can do to help their child. It is similar in the classroom. No matter how much a teacher desires and/or fights for their students to be the best they can be, there is a limit to their influence. In the end, students come to the place where they are responsible for their decisions, barring any physical limits which cannot be changed.

No president, law, or amount of money will fix the future of our nation. No teacher, parent, or principal can either. If the younger generation are truly the future of our nation and we only change rules, cash flow, and leaders, our nation will still be in trouble. There is nothing that can change a decision of any person but the person themselves. The only difference which can affect a person’s life is a heart change. Our children need to learn this, but how will they learn when all they see is us?