As reported in the Associated Press, President Barack Obama, in a speech on Tuesday to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, called for expanding innovative charter schools and suggested longer school days and school years.

School in the summer? I don't know how that's going to fly but it's worth a try.

Yesterday's speech was Obama's first major speech on education. Understandably he has been very busy since mid January. But still.

Here's a quote from our prez:

"The future belongs to the nation that best educates
its citizens," he said. "We have everything we need to be that nation
… and yet, despite resources that are unmatched anywhere in the
world, we have let our grades slip, our schools crumble, our teacher
quality fall short and other nations outpace us."

Solutions, which include teacher pay tied to student achievement and charter school proposals, have met
opposition among members of teachers unions, an important segment of the Democratic Party.

President Obama openly acknowledged this group of naysayers:

"Too many supporters of my party have resisted
the idea of rewarding excellence in teaching with extra pay, even
though we know it can make a difference in the classroom.