Obama’s stimulus bill: good news for education?

A big portion of president Obama’s stimulus bill for the US economy is reserved for education. So is this good news for everyone working in education? In the new plan, education gets about $150 billion in new spending, including $79 billion for state education aid and billions more for (much needed) school modernization.

I personally think this is a important signal that the government is sending out: it emphasizes the shift of the U.S. economy from “tangibles” to “intangibles”:

The tangible sector includes industries producing or distributing physical goods (e.g. construction, manufacturing, retailing, and transportation). These industries are in free-fall, with massive and repeated job cuts, because of a global oversupply of manufacturing capacity and weakness in demand for goods such as cars and electronics.

On the other hand the intangible sector, led by health care and education, is expanding, even in the current crisis. In a knowledge-based economy, there’s still demand for more education, there’s still demand for better health, and there’s still demand for new and better ideas.

Let’s hope this renewed focus on education is permanent though. I’m keen to hear your views on this subject!

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10 Comments

  1. I think Obama is focused on creating a good education system for America. It just seems like they should have an education system for parents. How to be good parents and how to give your kids the best opportunity. I don’t blame parents, but there are a lot of things that they have to keep up with, two full-time jobs that it is hard to stay focused on the kids. That’s just my two cents.

  2. Obama as a true leader sees the human state of his country.
    Great ressources will be needed in the Health industry which will give rise to great oppprtunities as well. He is already focussed on the solution. Helping people stay out of the sickness industry. Very costly to the state, and redirect in prevention and create income at the same time

  3. Obama is NOT helping our nation. He needs prayers. Look how many teachers are out of work.. NO money for schools ladies and gentlemen.

  4. You’ve got to be kidding me right?!?!?! My children’s school as well as many other preschool across Ohio have been SHUT DOWN!!! not cut back SHUT DOWN! So if you think that’s what the states are using the money for, think again!

  5. Is anyone else wondering how much money the Federal Reserve is printing on a daily basis? The tax system is NOT taking in enough money to pay for the excessive waste in the Federal Government. Stimulus is the word the Feds use to give themselves an excuse to create magical money……our money is almost worthless!!!! Do not get too excited about stimulus money…..your schools will not receive any.

  6. if obama is going to do so then really it’s great but sitill now he has done nothing about education.many schools in my uncle’s neighbour hood have turned off.

  7. I think things will be fine, Mr Obama will keep his promise. He can not lie to the people,because he know by heart who put him there and he know that as the first black president that means a lot to the nation/ the world.So let hope he will do by all means to be the best man in that seat.

  8. the fed needs to get out of our health care and education systems…. people need to stop being so lazy and take their rights back

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