奥巴马演讲视频：奥巴马总统就美国儿童学前教育问题发表演讲

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody! (Applause.) Well, it is great to be in Georgia! (Applause.) Great to be in Decatur! (Applause.)

I can't imagine a more romantic way to spend Valentine's Day -- (laughter) -- than with all of you, with all the press here. Actually, Michelle says hello. (Applause.) She made me promise to get back in time for our date tonight. (Laughter.) That's important. That's important. I've already got a gift, got the flowers. (Applause.) I was telling folks the flowers are a little easier, though, because I've got this Rose Garden. (Laughter.) Lot of people keeping flowers around.

I want to acknowledge a few people who are here -- first of all, Congressman 1 Hank Johnson is here. Where's Hank? (Applause.) Your Mayor, Jim Baskett, is here. (Applause.) Another Mayor you may know -- Kasim Reed snuck in here. (Applause.) I want to acknowledge the Decatur School Board, who I had a chance to meet and has helped to do so much great work around here. (Applause.) Folks right here.

And of course, I want to thank Mary for the wonderful introduction and for teaching me how to count earlier today. (Laughter.) I've got to tell you it was wonderful to be there. I want to thank all the teachers and the parents and the administrators 2 of Decatur City Schools, because behind every child who is doing great there is a great teacher, and I'm proud of every single one of you for the work that you do here today. (Applause.)

Now, on Tuesday, I delivered my State of the Union address. And I laid out a plan for reigniting what I believe is the true engine of America's economic growth, and that is a thriving, growing, rising middle class. And that also means ladders for people to get into the middle class. And the plan I put forward says we need to make smart choices as a country -- both to grow our economy, shrink our deficits 3 in a balanced way by cutting what we don't need but then investing in the things that we do need to make sure that everybody has a chance to get ahead in life.

What we need is to make America a magnet for new jobs by investing in manufacturing, and energy, and better roads and bridges and schools. We've got to make sure hard work is rewarded with a wage that you can live on and raise a family on.

We need to make sure that we've got shared responsibility for giving every American the chance to earn the skills and education that they need for a really competitive, global job market.

As I said on Tuesday night, that education has to start at the earliest possible age. And that's what you have realized here in Decatur. (Applause.) Study after study shows that the earlier a child begins learning, the better he or she does down the road. But here's the thing: We are not doing enough to give all of our kids that chance. The kids we saw today that I had a chance to spend time with in Mary's classroom, they're some of the lucky ones -- because fewer than 3 in 10 four-year-olds are enrolled 4 in a high-quality preschool program.

Most middle-class parents can't afford a few hundred bucks 6 a week for private preschool. And for the poor children who need it the most, the lack of access to a great preschool education can have an impact on their entire lives. And we all pay a price for that. And as I said, this is not speculation 7. Study after study shows the achievement gap starts off very young. Kids who, when they go into kindergarten, their first day, if they already have a lot fewer vocabulary words, they don't know their numbers and their shapes and have the capacity for focus, they're going to be behind that first day. And it's very hard for them to catch up over time.

And then, at a certain point -- I bet a lot of teachers have seen this -- kids aren't stupid. They know they're behind at a certain point, and then they start pulling back, and they act like they're disinterested 8 in school because they're frustrated 9 that they're not doing as well as they should, and then you may lose them.

And that's why, on Tuesday night, I proposed working with states like Georgia to make high-quality preschool available to every child in America. Every child. (Applause.)

Every dollar we invest in high-quality early education can save more than seven dollars later on -- boosting graduation rates, reducing teen pregnancy 10, reducing violent crime. In states like Georgia that have made it a priority to educate our youngest children, states like Oklahoma, students don't just show up in kindergarten and first grade more prepared to learn, they're also more likely to grow up reading and doing math at grade level, graduating from high school, holding a job, even forming more stable families.

Hope is found in what works. This works. We know it works. If you are looking for a good bang for your educational buck 5, this is it right here. (Applause.)

That's why, even in times of tight budgets, states like Georgia and Oklahoma have worked to make a preschool slot available for nearly every parent who is looking for one for their child. And they're being staffed with folks like Mary -- qualified 11, highly educated teachers. This is not babysitting. This is teaching. (Applause.)

So at the age that our children are just sponges soaking stuff in, their minds are growing fastest, what we saw in the classroom here today was kids are taught numbers, they're taught shapes, but also how to answer questions, discover patterns, play well with others. And the teachers who were in the classroom, they've got a coach who's coming in and working with them on best practices and paying attention to how they can constantly improve what they're doing.

And that whole playing well with others, by the way, is a trait we could use more in Washington. (Applause.) So maybe we need to bring the teachers up -- (applause) -- every once in a while have some quiet time. (Laughter.) Time out. (Laughter.)

So at the College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center that I visited earlier today, nearly 200 little kids are spending full days learning in classrooms with highly qualified teachers. (Applause.) And so I was working with them to build towers and replicate 12 sculptures and sing songs. And, look, I've got to admit, I was not always the fastest guy on some of this stuff. (Laughter.) The kids were beating me to the punch. But through this interactive 13 learning, they're learning math, writing, how to tell stories.

And one of the things that you've done here in Decatur that's wonderful also is, is that you've combined kids from different income levels; you've got disabled kids all in the same classroom, so we're all learning together. (Applause.) And what that means is, is that all the kids are being leveled up, and you're not seeing some of that same stratification that you see that eventually leads to these massive achievement gaps.

So before you know it, these kids are going to be moving on to bigger and better things in kindergarten, and they're going to be better prepared to succeed. And what's more, I don't think you'll find a working parent in America who wouldn't appreciate the peace of mind that their child is in a safe, high-quality learning environment every single day. (Applause.)

Michelle and I remember how tough it can be to find good childcare. I remember how expensive it can be, too. The size of your paycheck, though, shouldn't determine your child's future. (Applause.) So let's fix this. Let's make sure none of our kids start out the race of life already a step behind. Let's make it a national priority to give every child access to a high-quality early education. Let's give our kids that chance.

Now, I do have to warn the parents who are here who still have young kids -- they grow up to be, like, 5'10" -- (laughter) -- and even if they're still nice to you, they basically don't have a lot of time for you during the weekends. (Laughter.) They have sleepovers and -- dates. (Laughter.) So all that early investment -- (laughter) -- just leads them to go away. (Laughter.)

Now, what I also said on Tuesday night is that our commitment to our kids' education has to continue throughout their academic lives. So from the time our kids start grade school, we need to equip them with the skills they need to compete in a high-tech 14 economy. That's why we're working to recruit and train 100,000 new teachers in the fields of the future -- in science and technology, and engineering and math where we are most likely to fall behind.

We've got to redesign our high schools so that a diploma puts our kids on a path to a good job. (Applause.) We want to reward schools that develop new partnerships 15 with colleges and employers, and create classes that focus on science and technology, and engineering and math -- all the things that can help our kids fill those jobs that are there right now but also in the future.

And obviously, once our kids graduate from high school, we've got to make sure that skyrocketing costs don't price middle-class families out of a higher education -- (applause) -- or saddle them with unsustainable debt. I mean, some of the younger teachers who are here, they've chosen a career path that is terrific, but let's face it, you don't go into teaching to get rich. (Laughter.) And it is very important that we make sure that they can afford to get a great education and can choose to be a teacher, can choose to be in a teaching profession. (Applause.)

So we've worked to make college more affordable 16 for millions of students and families already through tax credits and grants and loans that go farther than before. But taxpayers 17 can't keep subsidizing ever-escalating price tags for higher education. At some point you run out of money. So colleges have to do their part. And colleges that don't do enough to keep costs in check should get less federal support so that we're incentivizing colleges to think about how to keep their costs down.

And just yesterday, we released what we're calling a new "College Scorecard" that gives parents and students all the information they need to compare schools by value and affordability 18 so that they can make the best choice. And any interested parent, by the way, who's out there can check it out at Whitehouse.gov. (Applause.)

Now, in the end, that's what this is all about -- giving our kids the best possible shot at life; equipping them with the skills, education that a 21st century economy demands; giving them every chance to go as far as their hard work and God-given potential will take them.

That's not just going to make sure that they do well; that will strengthen our economy and our country for all of us. Because if their generation prospers 20, if they've got the skills they need to get a good job, that means businesses want to locate here. And it also means, by the way, they're well-equipped as citizens with the critical thinking skills that they need in order to help guide our democracy. We'll all prosper 19 that way. That's what we're fighting for. They're the ones who are going to write that next great chapter in the American story, and we've got to make sure that we're providing that investment.

I am so proud of every single teacher who is here who has dedicated 21 their lives to making sure those kids get a good start in life. I want to make sure that I'm helping 22, and I want to make sure that the country is behind you every step of the way.

Thank you, everybody. God bless you. God bless America. (Applause.)

 

点击收听单词发音  






1
Congressman

  
 


n.（美）国会议员


参考例句：





He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman.他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。
The congressman is meditating a reply to his critics.这位国会议员正在考虑给他的批评者一个答复。












2
administrators

  
 


n.管理者( administrator的名词复数 )；有管理（或行政）才能的人；（由遗嘱检验法庭指定的）遗产管理人；奉派暂管主教教区的牧师


参考例句：





He had administrators under him but took the crucial decisions himself. 他手下有管理人员，但重要的决策仍由他自己来做。 来自辞典例句
Administrators have their own methods of social intercourse. 办行政的人有他们的社交方式。 来自汉英文学 - 围城












3
deficits

  
 


n.不足额( deficit的名词复数 )；赤字；亏空；亏损


参考例句：





The Ministry of Finance consistently overestimated its budget deficits. 财政部一贯高估预算赤字。 来自《简明英汉词典》
Many of the world's farmers are also incurring economic deficits. 世界上许多农民还在遭受经济上的亏损。 来自辞典例句












4
enrolled

  
 


adj.入学登记了的v.[亦作enrol]( enroll的过去式和过去分词 )；登记，招收，使入伍（或入会、入学等），参加，成为成员；记入名册；卷起，包起


参考例句：





They have been studying hard from the moment they enrolled. 从入学时起，他们就一直努力学习。 来自《简明英汉词典》
He enrolled with an employment agency for a teaching position. 他在职业介绍所登了记以谋求一个教师的职位。 来自《简明英汉词典》












5
buck

  
 


n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃


参考例句：





The boy bent curiously to the skeleton of the buck.这个男孩好奇地弯下身去看鹿的骸骨。
The female deer attracts the buck with high-pitched sounds.雌鹿以尖声吸引雄鹿。












6
bucks

  
 


n.雄鹿( buck的名词复数 )；钱；（英国十九世纪初的）花花公子；（用于某些表达方式）责任v.（马等）猛然弓背跃起( buck的第三人称单数 )；抵制；猛然震荡；马等尥起后蹄跳跃


参考例句：





They cost ten bucks. 这些值十元钱。
They are hunting for bucks. 他们正在猎雄兔。 来自《简明英汉词典》












7
speculation

  
 


n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机


参考例句：





Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。












8
disinterested

  
 


adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的


参考例句：





He is impartial and disinterested.他公正无私。
He's always on the make,I have never known him do a disinterested action.他这个人一贯都是唯利是图，我从来不知道他有什么无私的行动。












9
frustrated

  
 


adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧


参考例句：





It's very easy to get frustrated in this job. 这个工作很容易令人懊恼。
The bad weather frustrated all our hopes of going out. 恶劣的天气破坏了我们出行的愿望。 来自《简明英汉词典》












10
pregnancy

  
 


n.怀孕，怀孕期


参考例句：





Early pregnancy is often accompanied by nausea.怀孕早期常有恶心的现象。
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage.怀孕期吸烟会增加流产的危险。












11
qualified

  
 


adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的


参考例句：





He is qualified as a complete man of letters.他有资格当真正的文学家。
We must note that we still lack qualified specialists.我们必须看到我们还缺乏有资质的专家。












12
replicate

  
 


v.折叠，复制，模写；n.同样的样品；adj.转折的


参考例句：





The DNA of chromatin must replicate before cell division.染色质DNA在细胞分裂之前必须复制。
It is also easy to replicate,as the next subsection explains.就像下一个小节详细说明的那样，它还可以被轻易的复制。












13
interactive

  
 


adj.相互作用的，互相影响的，（电脑）交互的


参考例句：





The psychotherapy is carried out in small interactive groups.这种心理治疗是在互动的小组之间进行的。
This will make videogames more interactive than ever.这将使电子游戏的互动性更胜以往。












14
high-tech

  
 


adj.高科技的


参考例句：





The economy is in the upswing which makes high-tech services in more demand too.经济在蓬勃发展，这就使对高科技服务的需求量也在加大。
The quest of a cure for disease with high-tech has never ceased. 人们希望运用高科技治疗疾病的追求从未停止过。












15
partnerships

  
 


n.伙伴关系( partnership的名词复数 )；合伙人身份；合作关系


参考例句：





Partnerships suffer another major disadvantage: decision-making is shared. 合伙企业的另一主要缺点是决定要由大家来作。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件
It involved selling off limited partnerships. 它涉及到售出有限的合伙权。 来自辞典例句












16
affordable

  
 


adj.支付得起的，不太昂贵的


参考例句：





The rent for the four-roomed house is affordable.四居室房屋的房租付得起。
There are few affordable apartments in big cities.在大城市中没有几所公寓是便宜的。












17
taxpayers

  
 


纳税人，纳税的机构( taxpayer的名词复数 )


参考例句：





Finance for education comes from taxpayers. 教育经费来自纳税人。
She was declaiming against the waste of the taxpayers' money. 她慷慨陈词猛烈抨击对纳税人金钱的浪费。












18
affordability

  
 


可购性


参考例句：





Performance-Based Logistics Affordability: Can We Afford Categorical Conversion to Performance-Based Acquisition? 基于性能的后期的可承受性：能否担负得起向基于性能的采办的无条件的转变？
There would be no crisis of affordability, as't for food or clothing. 就想食物与服装一样，因为供给没有危机。












19
prosper

  
 


v.成功，兴隆，昌盛；使成功，使昌隆，繁荣


参考例句：





With her at the wheel,the company began to prosper.有了她当主管，公司开始兴旺起来。
It is my earnest wish that this company will continue to prosper.我真诚希望这家公司会继续兴旺发达。












20
prospers

  
 


v.成功，兴旺( prosper的第三人称单数 )


参考例句：





Whatever prospers my business is welcome. 凡使我生意兴隆者皆竭诚欢迎。 来自辞典例句
Whatever prospers my business is good. 任何使我生意兴隆的都是好的。 来自辞典例句












21
dedicated

  
 


adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的


参考例句：





He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。












22
helping

  
 


n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的


参考例句：





The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。