The grants of $4.35 billion will be available to states that qualify if they move in line with President Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s ideas. Paterson has consulted with a number of experts and administration officials and feels this legislation would increase their chances in the Race to the Top grants.

During this recession not only are individuals struggling but also the government and that includes funding education. Because of the poor economy in the state of New York payments were delayed to school districts because they didn’t have enough money at the time.

So New York is hoping that by changing a few laws they will be able to qualify for the largest Race to the Top grants which would equal up to $700 million and it would go directly to school districts and the state.

The qualifications and money from the grants will go to states that have committed to adopt rigorous education standards along with recruiting and retaining skilled teachers. And they must also agree to turn around low-performing schools.

States are suffering to come up with enough money and that is affecting schools and ultimately students. There are many changes that need to be made and hopefully those changes will improve the educations that American students are receiving.

For example, parents in Gaza don't want their children to learn about the Holocaust.  The fact is that it was a major event in modern world history and it's the reason that millions of people from all corners of the world are dead.

Granted, parents are responsible for their children and have the right to question what their children are learning in schools.  After all, parents are the most influential people in their children's life and it's important that they are involved with their children's education.  However, sometimes I think parents are worried about what their children might learn in school because it is different from the beliefs that they hold.

So where is the balance?  Should parents be able to determine what the lesson plan is in schools?  Even though there were 6 million Jews killed in the holocaust and thousands of civilians died, parents in Gaza don't want the information about the Nazi genocide being introduced into curriculum in U.N. schools.

This displays a major barrier between Jews and Arabs.  Jews see this inaction by Arabs as a denial of Israel's right to exist, while Arabs see the Holocaust as an excuse for Israel's creation.  This is controversial and I can see both sides of the argument, but children need to learn what is and has been going on in the world.

Finding the right balance is also a hot topic in the United States as well.  Parents were upset about President Obama's speech to students.  I guess a major factor is how old the student is, older students are less likely to buy into ideas as younger children.  Parents were especially worried about what the pamphlets would say and what kind of an influence they would have on their young children.

School districts in this event did the proper thing by notifying parents about the speech and what would be going on.  They also allowed parents to check their children out of school or to keep them home for the day.  I think what much of this boils down to is that parents need to allow their children to learn about different topics in school but then discuss them at home.

Education is supposed to be where individuals learn about general knowledge, and develop reasoning and judgment, in order to prepare for life.  Students need to be learning about important events and different theories so that they can make educated decisions.  They don't need to believe everything that they hear, but at least they will understand different theories, perspectives, and aspects of our history.

Some of the lessons students learn from a well rounded education, can help students understand one another and therefore find a peaceful solution that can improve everyone's life.  History cannot be repeated if it is remembered.