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Obama Cites Importance of Education in His Inaugural Address

President Barack Obama cited the shortcomings of the nation's schools as one part of the broader economic crisis, and called on Americans to come together to tackle the country's challenges in a spirit of public service and personal accountability.

"Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many," Obama said in his inaugural address as the 44th president of the United States.

"Everywhere we look, there is work to be done," he continued. "We will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age."

The president did not offer details, but the fact that schools made such an early appearance in the speech suggests that he sees education as a policy priority, said Paul Manna, a professor at the College of William and Mary.

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