President Obama gave a speech earlier this week promising to offer merit pay for teachers and updating school systems around the country to track both teacher and student performances. Emphasizing the importance of a good education, the President’s support comes in the form of the stimulus act which has money allocated to help children receive a quality education, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The President also wants schools to start working on closing the achievement gap, push American students to become internationally competitive, and address the dropout crisis.—WLW