Yesterday Bill and Melinda Gates announced the Stand Up campaign which would raise awareness about the education crisis in this country and promote action among parents, communities and leaders to address it. The premise being that our country is lagging behind others in terms of preparing our youth as tomorrow´s leaders in a global marketplace.

As a parent, I have seen first-hand what my painfully high taxes pay for in terms of public education- not much. In DC at least, it seems that those re-appropriated funds which seem to increase every year for public education, never make it to the students. When this happens you have to eventually ask, is this by design? Additionally, there is a stark contrast between my educational experience (at least at the elementary level) and that of my daughter´s- from books to facilities to academic opportunities. I went to an elite private school and the difference between the two worlds is stark.

Interestingly enough, yesterday Oprah had cameras follow students at two schools in the Chicago area; they were both public shools but the difference in resources was vast. It´s not pretty...

I have to ask two questions.

1. Are we okay with returning to the separate but equal school of thought that once pervaded society?
2. What are we going to do to demand that education be made a priority in this country and that our children receive the opportunities of academic achievement that match their potential?

Whether you are a parent or not is no longer the issue. Children are the future leaders of this country and they will not be able to compete with their global counterparts.

Check out www.standup.org or www.edin08.com and demand that education be made a priority in the upcoming election cycle.