US Secretary of Education Richard Riley addressed a crowd of local administrators, faculty members, parents and students gathered at Syosset High School on Friday, Sept. 18. His appearance marked the second time in less than a year that a Washington official has toured a Syosset school. First lady Hillary Clinton visited Village Elementary School last year.

Syosset Superintendent Carole G. Hankin, who had served with Riley on several national education panels, was the one who convinced him to observe the model school district in person. Upon arriving, said Hankin, "He couldn't believe the programs we had here."

The school district presented Riley with its Educator of the Century award. Riley said the award was particularly meaningful because, in the next century, education will play a "critical role...in the lives of every young person." He said that all Americans must understand just how vital a good education will be in the future.

"As we enter the 21st century, we know the importance of education, and the link between learning and success is closer than ever. What passed as the basic educational requirement for most jobs 20 years ago is nowhere near the minimum required today," said Riley.

"What this means, as we seek to improve schooling for the next generation, is that how much a community values education and how it goes about educating its students will be critical in the success of that community and its citizens," he continued.

Riley said that as the American economy becomes increasingly idea-driven, fueled by intellectual and human resources more so than manual labor, higher standards of education must be implemented.

"We need rigorous coursework and qualified and well-trained teachers in every classroom. We need modern classrooms with updated technology. We need small class sizes and smaller, more personalized schools," said Riley.

Riley also said that schools should act as "centers of communities" and offer a variety of enriching, diverse and productive after-school activities.

"Finally," said Riley, "we need to continue to work together to create schools that are exciting, exploring, creative and challenging and that spark all of our young people to see the full value of their potential."