The lack of substantial resources and staffing along the Northern U.S. border poses a real security threat.

Asian countries produce eight times as many engineering bachelors as the United States, and the number of U.S. students graduating at the masters and PhD levels in these areas is declining.

There are some scary statistics out there: one in five kids aged 10-17 have received a sexual solicitation or approach via the Internet.

Overseas, America's fighting men and women have been waging war against those who would attack America and plunge the world into a period of darkness, and their success can easily be seen.

But the best thing Washington can do for education is realize that our role is limited. Washington must keep its promises, but let those who know our childrens' names- parents, teachers and school board members- make education decisions.

We must be willing to pay inspiring math and science teachers, who have high paying alternatives in industry, more to teach and reward students who take more challenging courses in high school.

Too many vital education dollars that should be spent in the classroom are bouncing around in the federal bureaucracy.