Eisenhower: Education Is Essential for National Security

President Dwight Eisenhower's Message to Congress about education galvanized the United States' educational efforts. The support that he (and John Kennedy after him) gave to our educational system was vital to America's prosperity and world power. Ike's message was brief, specific, pointed, value-laden, and very wise.

Many conservatives today seem to oppose public education, apparently for no reason except to save taxpayer money or support private schools. The costs of that non-policy could be terrifying. Education rests at national security's heart. An educated citizenry is a strong citizenry. Ike knew that.

Ike's message started with values:

Dwight Eisenhower

Education best fulfills its high purpose when responsibility for education is kept close to the people it serves--when it is rooted in the home, nurtured in the community, and sustained by a rich variety of public, private, and individual resources.

He emphasized science education, an area where our nation is still sadly weak:

But if we are to maintain our position of leadership, we must see to it that today's young people are prepared to contribute the maximum to our future progress. Because of the growing importance of science and technology, we must necessarily give special--but by no means exclusive--attention to education in science and engineering.  

Eisenhower's team put together a program to improve education at all levels, including graduate fellowships. He encouraged people to be college teachers. He also wisely recognized the human side of education:

Matching grants to the States to encourage the strengthening of local counseling and guidance services, so that more able students will be encouraged to stay in high school, to put more effort into their academic work, and to prepare for higher education. The program also would provide for grants of funds to colleges and universities to permit them to establish training institutes to improve the qualifications of counseling and guidance personnel.   

Eisenhower's message, which inspired a generation, was packed with wisdom. He thought big. He thought long-term. Not resorting to the anger and small-minded thinking of today's conservative movement, Ike represented conservatism at its best. 

WH Photo, via Wikimedia