The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

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Obama addresses educational improvements and jobs in State of Union speech

A “College Scorecard” where parents and students can compare schools as well as reforms to the Higher Education Act were some of the changes discussed during President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address, Tuesday.

The reform of the Higher Education Act would include altering factors that determine which colleges receive certain types of federal aid, adding affordability and value as factors.

The criteria on the individual score of the college would be based on “where you can get the most bang for your educational buck,” he said.

“Through tax credits, grants, and better loans, we have made college more affordable for millions of students and families over the last few years,” Obama said.

He stressed the importance of kids and their education in preschool all the way to those trying to obtain a college degree.

“The sooner a child begins learning, the better he or she does down the road,” Obama said.

The “College Scorecard” would allow parents and students who are choosing colleges to attend to be able to compare colleges.

He addressed Congress and citizens of the United States, focusing on tax and immigration reform, education importance, ending the war, gun control and other topics.

Obama also proposed working with each state to ensure that high-quality preschool is available to every child in the country.

After preparing the country for higher quality preschool programs, Obama reinforced that high school graduates should be fully equipped to enter the workforce.

Obama also proposed that congress vote for the “commonsense reform” of the Second Amendment. This would include requiring background checks for those who want to purchase guns, regulation of weapons of war and massive ammunition magazines off the streets and the prevention of buying guns to resale to criminals.

Obama focused on the story of a 15-year-old girl named Hadiya Pendleton. She was with her classmates in Washington three weeks ago, and a week later was shot and killed in a Chicago park after school.

“Hadiya’s parents are in this chamber tonight, along with more than two dozen other Americans whose lives have been torn apart by gun violence,” Obama said. “They deserve a vote.”

At the beginning of the address, Obama spoke about jobs and the economy. He has proposed that minimum wage be raised to $9 an hour.

“Let’s declare that in the wealthiest nation on Earth, no one who works full-time should have to live in poverty,” Obama said.

Obama then announced that in the next year, 34,000 American troops will come home from Afghanistan.

“Because of (the troops) we can say with confidence that America will complete its mission in Afghanistan,” said Obama.

State of the Union 2013

Barrack Obama delivers his annual State of the Union Address. His speech highlighted plans for several reforms in education, raising minimum wage, equal pay for women, immigration reform, foreign policy and gun control reform.

Storified by Daily Sundial· Tue, Feb 12 2013 20:10:06

President Obama’s getting ready: RT if you’re excited to hear his #SOTU speech tonight. http://pic.twitter.com/CF6dRHg9Barack Obama

Members of Congress voiced their support and their concerns on twitter in reaction to Obama’s speech.

I look forward to passing the “Fix-It-First” program to help put Americans back to work now. #JobsNow #SOTURep. Hank Johnson
#fixitfirst? How about jobs, the economy and your sequestration instead of another gov’t program? #SOTURep. Austin Scott
President Obama: "A family with 2 kids that earns the minimum wage still lives below the poverty line. That’s wrong."The White House
American families struggle to manage their budgets. President missed budget deadline last wk and Senate hasn’t passed in nearly 4 yrs. #SOTURep. Renee Ellmers
Instead of focusing on jobs, the POTUS wants to undermine gun rights, raise taxes, and add more government regulations & spending #SOTURep. Jeff Duncan
"We will ensure equal treatment for all service members & equal benefits for their families – gay and straight" #SOTU #LGBTJohn Garamendi

CNN and ABC News offered interesting ways to follow along with Obama’s speech, CNN with an interactive app and ABC with some informative graphics.

Watching #SOTU w/ an iPad? See what members of Congress are tweeting by using Tweet of the Union page in CNN App. http://pic.twitter.com/f1dJfNSYEtan Horowitz
#SOTU isn’t over yet, but you can already have a look at the most common words http://abcn.ws/Z98Ld9 #America #Jobs http://pic.twitter.com/i17pSM3CABC News
Most-tweeted #SOTU moment: Middle class opportunity and minimum wage at 9:52p ET = ~24,000 Tweets per minute.Twitter Government

Obama’s speech ends with focus on gun control reform.

Pretty emotional push for a SOTU. Re: gunsChuck Todd
Obama: "This is not the first time this country has debated how to reduce gun violence. But this time is different." http://pic.twitter.com/cyHmafLwThe White House
Instead of focusing on jobs, the POTUS wants to undermine gun rights, raise taxes, and add more government regulations & spending #SOTURep. Jeff Duncan
I stand w/ #President’s call for #asimplevote on comprehensive reform around #gun #violence; victims & families deserve at least that. #SOTURep. Mike Honda
The president once again missed an opportunity & is still acting like what he wants to do is exactly what can be done. #SOTUSenator Roy Blunt
Obama: "It remains the task of us all…to be the authors of the next great chapter in our American story.” #SOTU http://pic.twitter.com/z6giLzwQThe White House
Congress remains divided in their reactions to Obama’s speech.
Great speech tonight. To the victims of gun violence, the President is right, #TheyDeserveAVote. #SOTUCongressman Sam Farr
Show’s over. Didn’t hear credible plan to get control of debt. Speech mostly based in liberal ideology, not fiscal reality #notserious #SOTURep. Martha Roby
The #SOTU promises investments in education, infrastructure & research – the tools to strengthen America’s middle class. Let’s do it.Elizabeth Warren
Empty rhetoric no replacement for real leadership. http://www.huelskamp.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4338:huelskamp-responds-to-president-obamas-state-of-the-union&catid=48:press-releases #SOTUCong. Tim Huelskamp
What did you think of Obama’s State of the Union Address tonight? Send your reactions to us on twitter @dailysundial 

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