Giving our children a good start in their education has been a key priority of mine as Governor, and it will continue to be a priority for me as President. If we are to maintain our position as the world's leader in business, technology and innovation, we must strengthen the American education system that has made us the most powerful country in human history.

I am optimistic about our country's ability to improve our education system and prepare young Americans for a successful future. It will require resources -- some $60 billion a year -- but this is money we must spend, as an investment in our people. And I have already outlined nearly $60 billion in specific cuts to nuclear weapons and other weapons systems to cover this necessary investment. Quite simply, American schools -- designed for the early 20th century -- must be restructured to meet the demands of the 21st.

Provide Universal Access to Quality Pre-K Programs

As an investment in early education, I will create a program to provide universal access to full-day pre-kindergarten to all four-year-olds for the entire school year, and I will fully fund Head Start.

Scrap No Child Left Behind

It is imperative that the next President ensures that states receive appropriate funding and are no longer forced to accept one-size-fits-all programs. I will reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, but eliminate the punitive approach of No Child Left Behind and replace it with a fairer, more comprehensive, and more supportive system of measuring progress.

Increase the Availability of Quality Teachers

To attract and retain the best and brightest teachers, we must raise teacher's salaries to a national average starting salary of $40,000, improve and expand teacher training, increase the number of nationally-certified educators, increase standards and accountability, and hire an additional 100,000 math and science teachers.

Oppose Private School Tuition Vouchers, Increase Public School Choice

I oppose public tax dollars going to private schools, but will increase school choice with charter, magnet, and other public school options, as well as more flexible course options.

Create 250 Math, Science, and Innovation (MSI) Academies

We need to raise the bar on education to meet America's needs, especially in math and science. We can revitalize America's innovative talents by bringing together students, educators, and entrepreneurs.

Put the Arts and Music back into Education

To retain this critical education element, I will invest up to $500 million in arts and music education programs.

Increase Graduation Rates

I will invest $1 billion a year in states' dropout prevention programs to encourage the one million students who drop out each year to stay in school.

Take Action to Improve the Health of Our Children

If children's health suffers, their education will suffer too. I would help our children lead healthier lives by insisting on strong nutritional guidelines for school meals and reinstituting physical education.

Promote More Meaningful Parental Involvement

Our work to improve education depends on parental involvement. We should provide all federal employees with eight hours per year of paid, one-to-one time with their children, and encourage private businesses and the rest of the public sector to do the same.

Create a Nation of Service

Teaching the importance of community service should be a focus in our schools. To create incentives for more student participation, in my Administration, the federal government will forgive two years of the cost of tuition and fees at a public university for each year of service.

Eliminate the FAFSA and Expand Access to Student Aid

The Richardson plan for college affordability calls for increasing the number of student loan applicants by simplifying and consolidating the federal government's loans, grants, and scholarship programs. We will also provide financial incentives for schools to keep their tuition costs under control.

Increase Aid to Those Who Need It Most: Expand LEAP and GEAR UP

I will expand need-based federal programs that assist students from low-income families and eliminate the enormous subsidies to banks and private lenders and redirect that money to students who need it.

Beyond School: The Richardson Plan for Promoting Life-Long Learning and Adult Education

We must revive the federal government's role as workforce development coordinator. The first step is to revive the national job bank that in 2002 placed nearly 345,000 job seekers in new jobs before it was terminated by the Bush Administration. We will also create a new generation of manufacturing jobs that move our country toward energy independence and to clean energy sources.

Transitional Jobs and Career Training (Perkins II)

Expanding transitional jobs will give lower-income people a chance to learn the valuable skills that can lead to greater success. In addition, career and vocational education should be expanded so those without a college education can develop valuable skills.