Radio Address to the
Nation on Education and Drug Abuse
My
fellow Americans:
Labor
Day weekend is behind us, another summer is almost past, and soon the leaves
will start turning colors. But perhaps the surest sign of fall is the sight of
young people heading off for their first days of school. This fall I'm glad to
say the schools that our children are returning to are in many ways the best
they've been in years -- markedly better and still improving. Five years ago
there was a widespread feeling in our country that our schools were not doing
their job. That's why, in the first few months of this administration, we
established a National Commission on Excellence in Education to assess the
condition of American education.
Sure
enough, the Commission reported back that the instincts of the American people
were right: Our schools were in serious trouble. They were doing so poorly, the
Commission said, that if a foreign nation had done to our schools what we'd
stood by and let happen, we would have considered it an act of war. That
warning touched off a wave of reforms that swept through nearly every town,
school district, and State capital in the country -- a grassroots movement for
education reform that generated more enthusiasm and more action than any amount
of dollars or directives from
Just
2 weeks ago the Nation's Governors met to offer their own proposals for
carrying education reform into the nineties. Among other proposals, the
Governors suggested that parents have more choice where their children go to
school. If one school doesn't do the job right, let them send their children to
a school that does. The Governors call their report, ``Time for Results'' --
and with no-nonsense proposals like these, you can bet they'll get results in
the years to come. I think we can all expect to see a lot more action in our
State capitals, right where it belongs. Let me also call attention to ``First
Lessons,'' Secretary [of Education] Bennett's fine, new report on our nation's
elementary schools. With this kind of useful information, parents and teachers
will be able to continue their progress in the task of fixing our schools.
As
our young people return to school this year, I'd like to close with a special
message on something that is fundamental to success in school and throughout
life -- and that is staying drug free. Over the summer, we've witnessed a
growing national awareness of the waste and tragedy that always lies just one step behind drug use. When it comes to young
people using drugs that tragedy is especially great. There's no better time
than now -- and no better place than our schools -- for all Americans to stand
up, get involved, and do something about drugs.
Later
this month, Nancy and Secretary Bennett will introduce a handbook for
communities to use to rid schools of drugs. Just as surely as
it will require the diligence of parents, teachers, and principals, beating
drugs in our schools will require the involvement of neighbors, community
groups, law enforcement officials, churches, and synagogues. Everyone
will have to get involved. But most importantly, beating drugs will require the
courage and conviction of our young people themselves. To those students who
are listening today, I'd like to offer a special message: It may be a while ago
now, but I can remember how tough it is sometimes being young, and when I was a
kid, we didn't have all the temptations and distractions of this modern
society. I know that sometimes it takes all the courage you can muster to
``just say no,'' to go with your conscience, what you know is right, rather
than with the pack. But that effort is worth it. Don't get caught up in drugs.
Until
next week, thanks for listening, and God bless you.
Note:
The President spoke at