According to a Gallop Poll conducted in April of this year, President Barack Obama is still favored as leader by 60 percent of young Americans ages 18-29. To consolidate his connection with young voters President Obama has promised to continue fighting for affordable and accessible higher education.
The Democratic Party acknowledges the fact that a college education and attainment of a proper academic degree are crucial tools in rebuilding America’s shrinking middle-class. In order to keep the dream of social mobility alive for the students of America, President Obama has presented several progressive educational reforms.
The first major reform Obama presented in front of Congress earlier this year was his proposal to make a law forbidding high school students dropping out of school.
“When students don’t walk away from their education more of them walk the stage to get their diploma, when students are not allowed to drop out they do better. So tonight I am proposing that every state require that all students stay in high school until they graduate or turn eighteen,” said Obama in a presidential address given in January of 2012.
The second major legislation President Obama is fighting for is an increase in the number of Pell Grants available for disbursement from the federal government. Since coming into office, President Barack Obama has worked aggressively to increase the maximum Pell Grant award because he recognizes that millions of Americans use the Pell Grant award as their primary means for paying college tuition.
“We will provide the support necessary for you to complete college and meet a new goal; by 2020 America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world”, said Obama in a February news conference conducted in 2009.
President Obama has given his full commitment and support to making sure Americans who serve their country in the armed forces have a chance to go to college after serving their country. By continually reaching out to veterans, dependants and active duty military members, President Obama has worked to make transitioning back into American society easier for those who serve.
“When our men and women are serving on behalf of all of us, we have a solid obligation to look after them when they come home… We have actually increased the budget for the Veterans Association by 11 percent last year, because we think it’s important to play some catch up”, said President Barack Obama in a town hall meeting in 2009.
