Rahm Emanuel

And it's something, if you want stability in democracy, get stability in the economy to work for people.

You used to strive to get to the American middle class dream.

Today, you struggle to stay in it, and more likely you're falling behind on it.

And so to me, that would be, and I've also put at the center of that, because it's what makes it accessible, you live in a period of time where you earn what you learn.

As you know, because we've talked about this many times.

Sure.

Today, 50% of our kids are not reading at grade level and doing math at grade level.

It's the lowest it's been in 30 years.

Those kids will be fighting and playing with one hand tied behind their back.

If you can't do third grade reading, fourth grade is not easier.

That's the answer to the pop quiz.

It doesn't get easier.

Now, I just came back from Mississippi where they have what is referred to as the Mississippi Miracle, but I would refer to it as Mr. Barksdale said to me who funded this.

It's the Mississippi Marathon.

And in 20 years, they've gone from 49th on reading to 9th.

But also, two points.

One is every other state, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Alabama that have replicated are all seeing similar growth in their reading scores.

They've returned to the fundamentals.

One, back to phonics.

Get away from all the hooey that's taught out of Columbia that's ruined kids.