Moving Forward with Education. Together.

By Randy Jotte

Many in Missouri receive outstanding educations, both public and private. Others are not so fortunate.

A number of the young adults I care for in the emergency room are without even the rudimentary skills one would expect from years of education. Some are unable to read their discharge papers; others struggle to sign their name. Lacking the skills which would make them competitive in the job market, they understandably despair of their future. Many will have difficulty providing for themselves or their families.

Not only can they not afford to fail - we as a society cannot afford their failures either. The success of our economy and our ability to fund essentials like roads and public infrastructure depends on everyone making a contribution.

We count on our schools to prepare our children for adulthood. Appropriate resources are essential, but there has to be sufficient accountability. We must insist on success. We can afford no less.