Advise the Advisor is a new program to help senior staff at the White House stay connected to the American people.

Providing our nation’s students with a world-class education is a shared responsibility. It’s going to take all of us – teachers, parents, students, philanthropists, state and local governments, and the federal government – working together to prepare today’s students for the future.

This week, Melody Barnes, Director of the Domestic Policy Council and one of President Obama’s senior advisors on education policy, is asking for feedback from parents, teachers and students about what’s working in their communities and what needs to change when it comes to education.

You can add your voice to the conversation by answering one or all of the following questions:

• Parents: Responsibility for our children’s education and future begins in our homes and communities. What are some of the most effective ways you're taking responsibility at a personal and local level for your child’s education?
• Teachers: President Obama has set a goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020. How are you preparing your students for college and career? What’s working and what challenges do you face?
• Students: In order to compete for the jobs of the 21st century, America’s students must be prepared with a strong background in reading, math and science along with the critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity needed to succeed in tomorrow’s workforce. How has your education prepared you for a career in the 21st century? What has worked and what challenges do you face?

Past Questions

David Plouffe, Senior Advisor to the President, kicked off the series by asked for your feedback on how American innovation affects your community and the obstacles to innovation you see where you live. Check out David’s video and read his follow up blog post responding to some of the major themes we saw in reading your feedback.

Austan Goolsbee, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, posted the second edition of Advise the Advisor asking for feedback from small businesses about the obstacles they face in getting off the ground. Austan responded to some of your feedback during a live chat at the Winning the Future Forum on Small Business in Cleveland.