There's so much that we're doing wrong today. And studies show we're one of three countries that doesn't invest more in disadvantaged communities.

State governments generate less revenue in a recession. As state leaders struggle to make up for lost revenue, legislatures tend to cut funding for higher education. Colleges, in turn, answer these funding cuts with tuition hikes.

About two-thirds of bachelor's degree holders borrow to go to school, and on average they're graduating with more than $26,000 in debt.

The arts significantly boost student achievement, reduce discipline problems, and increase the odds students will go on to graduate from college.

We have had this massive effort on K-12 reform, raising standards, great teachers, great principals, turning around chronically failing schools, raising the bar, huge amount of progress. Let's continue that.

To encourage more top-caliber students to choose teaching, teachers should be paid a lot more, with starting salaries more in the range of $60,000 and potential earnings of as much as $150,000.

In America, your zip code or your socioeconomic status should never determine the quality of your education.