Students discuss education

The White House Office of Public Engagement hosted the 2011 White House Youth Kick-off Call on Wednesday night to discuss President Obama’s State of the Union address and the future of education for students.

David Plouffe, assistant to the President and senior adviser and Stephanie Cutter, assistant to the President for Special Projects, moderated the call and answered questions from young Americans.

“Like the president said last night, we need to really win the future and focus on innovation,” Plouffe said.

To achieve these goals, fundamental reform in education is needed to create higher student achievement, Plouffe said.

“We keep falling behind other countries in terms of math and science, so the president is going to put more effort into recruiting more teachers to teach in these subjects,” Plouffe said. “If you want to serve your country, save your community, become a teacher.”

Plouffe said one of Obama’s important goals is to make sure America is once again a country of college graduates.

“Before you know it, many of you are going to lead the country and we owe it to you to keep it in the best shape that you can,” Plouffe said.

During the conference call, a number of students voiced concerns about the state of health care in the United States.

Forty-six million graduates were uninsured for two years after graduating from college, according to Cutter. Additionally, one-third of these people have to delay education and career plans because of these bills.