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F' 147 <br /> I <br /> destiny. Either we disavow faith in free men, free enterprise, <br /> and a government of free men or we retain and strengthen <br /> our faith in education as the means by which we conceive, <br /> attain, and protect them. Conference on <br /> Committee members for the White House <br /> Education were right when they wrote: <br /> # "Schools now affect the welfare of the United <br /> States more than ever before in history, and this <br /> new importance of education has been danger- <br />)f ously underestimated for a long time . . . <br /> S. ;,' "The schools have become the chief instrument <br /> for keeping this nation the fabled land of oppor- <br /> ie tunity it started out to be . . . <br /> d "As long as good schools are available, a man is <br /> not frozen'at any level of our economy, nor is his <br /> i. son." <br /> i The scientific and philosophical revolutions raging the <br /> e world over add to the urgency for action. Public education <br /> more understanding of <br /> d must be supported with more funds, <br /> of its essential character, and more faith if America is to <br /> cope with the world of tomorrow. ort, <br /> e Unless the schools are greatly strengthened in supe <br /> in facilities, in quality personnel, and in program, this nation <br /> f <br /> could falter and fail within a generation. <br /> a Although the American school system is the most mag- <br /> a nificent plan ever developed in any land, the times`in which <br /> we live make many of yesterday's goals, practices, programs, <br /> and facilities obsolete. With courage, humility, care, and <br /> confidence the weaknesses and neglect of our public schools <br /> e must be faced and their urgent needs must be given first <br /> priority. <br /> Although certain values, certain knowledge, certain skills <br /> are constant, education like our society must change. The <br /> educational program of today should be different from that <br /> of yesterday, and today's will prove inadequate tomorrow. <br /> Public schooling in the United States has had the essential <br /> quality of flexibility in the past. This characteristic is im- <br /> perative for the future. Where the schools are headed is <br /> more important than where they have been. <br /> r Education for all, to the extent the individual and so- <br /> ciety may profit, is a more imperative goal than ever before. <br /> ortunity is an obligation which <br /> This means equality of opp as our democracy <br /> ;_ <br /> our nation must assure its citizens. So long <br /> I <br />