Education chief favors longer school year

Obama's education plan includes lengthening the school day and year to compete competitively with countries like China and India. I can agree that with the extra attention devoted to education, we can work on strengthening graduation rates, while instilling character and value in our nation's youth. I know in Arizona especially the public education system is terrible and that any student who attends such a school is at a significant disadvantage compared to the rest of the nation. Education reform and funding can be helpful in returning our nation back to forefront of the world.