With the United States now trailing other first world countries in education standards and achievement, President Elect Obama has his work cut out for him. During his campaign, Obama made direct links between education and the productivity and leadership of the United States as an industrial and scientific powerhouse. His proposed reforms include charter schools, increased pay and higher standards for educators, 4,000 dollars to each college student willing to do 100 hours of community service per year of education, as well as simplifying the federal aide application process.

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