This month we are celebrating the accomplishments of athletes in the Olympics, but how does the USA rank in education?

Billions of people across the world are enjoying the Olympics this month.  While it is definitely entertaining, and awe-inspiring to watch these super-humans compete, does the world have its priorities right?  When do we publicly celebrate academic competitors, or spend millions on advertising the newest books?  Do students think learning is cool?  ... If not, they should!  Students who have the academic skills to be successful in college are also more likely to keep their athletic scholarship (if they earn one), and students who complete a four year degree are more likely to have a job than their peers who do not.  If the United States wants to invest in their future, we need to make sure that we are putting as much energy into education as we put into athletics - at the Olympic level, and in our kids youth leagues.  Lets always strive for excellence when it comes to the education of our students, so that we can once again earn gold, or at least a bronze in academics. ... My favorite commercial during the Olympics has been the Target commercial that shows students celebrating acceptance into college (see the bottom right video).  They have their priorities right! To learn more about how you can get involved in education reform, and making sure that the USA is doing all it can to give our students the best education possible check out StudentsFirst or Stand for Children.

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