Among other things , the president promised to boost college access by raising the maximum Pell Grant award to $ 5,550 a year and indexing it above inflation . Obama stresses investments in early childhood education . Obama says ` ` challenges of a new century '' demand more time in classroom . He calls for end to the practice of lowering the reading , math standards . President pledges to push for major expansion of performance - based pay ##roll .
Obama stresses investments in early childhood education . Obama says ` ` challenges of a new century '' demand more time in classroom . He calls for end to the practice of lowering the reading , math standards . President pledges to push for major expansion of performance - based pay ##roll .