work harder, as a society, to ensure our children are educated. Parents need to be made aware that their contribution is very important. Local, state & federal governments need to ensure proper funding for educational institutions. They also need to draw direct comparisons to the rising costs of incarceration in the US as well as the distinction we hold of having the largest prison population in the world. By outlining the need to increase spending in education, government can demonstrate the long-term savings in prison costs, especially at the state level which operates under stricter budget rules.