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American President Barack Obama has initiated a few processes to enhance the quality of higher education and equip the country to face stiff global competition. According to him, one of the most urgent challenges is to prepare children to face the tough global competition. He advocates holding accountable students, parents, teachers, administrators and communities.

Working towards the aim of bringing Americans once again to the forefront of achievement and creativity is the top priority. According to the President, this can be achieved by improving K-12 schooling, expanding higher education access and preparing students effectively for kindergarten. He opines that the need of the hour is to develop innovative methods and recruit teachers who can impart quality education. Teachers must be rewarded for good results and schools lagging behind in performance must be provided enough support to enable them to do better.

The President said that Americans can be better equipped for the 21st century and quality workforce can be created by ensuring that everyone who graduates from high school attends at least one year of higher education or job training. He also said that access to college education will be provided for anyone desiring it with tax credit programs and Pell Grants expansion.

According to the President, the period before children reach kindergarten is the ideal time when they can be moulded and influenced. He promised to provide the necessary motivation and incentive for young children to enter kindergarten by expanding programs such as the Head Start.

July 2009 saw President Obama placing community colleges at the core of his plans to rejuvenate and revitalize the economy of America. He proposed allocation of billions of dollars towards free online education, facilities, basic education skills improvement and job training programs especially for the two-year institutions.  He reiterated the importance of community colleges and scoffed at those who preferred the elite institutions.

He also criticized community colleges for not providing sufficient and relevant job training to students and motivating them enough to complete their programs. He explained that training provided to workers have not so far been relevant to their jobs placing them at a great disadvantage even resulting in layoffs.

Leaders of community colleges welcomed President’s speech and were happy that problem areas have been effectively identified by him which needed support such as outdated facilities. Community colleges distance education experts opined that a transformative and historic announcement was that of the President’s proposal on creating online courses for free.

Obama has grand plans for student loans which may take an effort to get the Congress to pass. Even then, there are several parts that need to be involved in his community college program. One part of the $9 billion fund will focus on providing students with relevant job training and also include expanded courses such as adult education, remedial and aligning job requirements with opportunities. The other part will predominantly focus on completion of the community college programs by students.

This will be made possible by using funds for evaluating, improving and creating efforts that will motivate students to pursue and complete the program. The President said that student drop outs is a disaster for both our economy as well as for students.