Remarks at Vandenberg Elementary School in Southfield

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, May 13, 2002

Tomorrow I'm meeting with executives from around the country. I'm going to remind them that they have a responsibility, as good corporate citizens, not only to make sure that we understand all their assets and liabilities on their balance sheets; that when it comes time to treating their shareholders and employees with integrity, they must do so; that we expect there to be honesty in reporting; but business communities have the responsibility as well to support public education in America.

So I believe firmly we're on the right track. First of all, we herald the importance of public education in America. Being on the right track means you understand the importance of public schools in our country. Anybody who doubts the importance of public education need to come to this school and go see the classrooms that I saw, its diversity. I believe one of the strengths of America is our diversity. I know one of the strengths is the common values that we all share. And I saw that living example in the classrooms I visited.

Secondly, we have the right mindset in America, and that says, every child can learn. You've got to start thinking that. If you don't believe every child can learn, then the ones you don't believe will learn, won't learn. Every child can learn. Notice I didn't say every group can learn. I said, every single child can learn. It's a belief that we've got to focus our attentions on each child.

It says that we trust the local people. Listen, we don't want Washington, DC, managing public education. Trust me, one size isn't going to fit all. It's just not. I know that some will say that's a trite slogan. It's true. It's true. You've got different issues here in Michigan than we have in Texas, and there's different issues here than they have in California. And that's why we want to have flexibility at the local level. We've got to trust teachers and principals to design what works. There needs to be flexibility.

But we must be wise enough to measure. See, we must incorporate accountability and then be quick enough to change when we find failure. And mark my words, what's going to happen: We're going to start seeing great progress.

This school is living example of great progress: Kind of at the bottom of the measurement standards, if I'm not mistaken, 5 years ago, and now you're soaring off the chart. It shows what's possible. We want every school soaring off the chart. We don't want schools languishing in mediocrity and excusemaking. We want the best for every child. That's what America's future is all about. It's about making sure that every single child gets educated.

I love to ask the question when I go into a classroom, "Are you going to college?" It makes me feel so great to see every hand pop up--every hand. And that starts with making sure that every child gets a good education. And you're doing so at this school, and I'm proud you've invited me to come. And on behalf of a grateful nation, thank you for doing your job and doing it with excellence.