Our country is at a crossroads. The economy is in its worst recession in a generation. State and local tax revenues have been hit especially hard in the economic downturn. We need to make sure our important government services are sustained during our nation's economic troubles.

At the same time, we need to invest in our future. Too many of our schools are not preparing students for success in college and careers.

The statistics are troubling. On international tests, American students are struggling to compete with their peers around the globe. Twenty-seven percent of the nation's ninth graders don't finish high school within four years. In Hawaii, 36 percent of freshmen don't complete high school on time.

As a nation, only 40 percent of our adults complete a two-year or four-year college degree. That was good enough to lead the world a generation ago. But today it puts us behind our international competitors. Now more than ever, we need to invest in schools so we can educate our way to a better economy.

Hawaii has been making progress on student achievement. Over the 20 years that the National Assessment of Educational Progress has been given to states, Hawaii students have recorded steady gains.

Now, however, Hawaii is cutting 17 days from the current school year. All states are under financial pressure, but none are cutting this much learning time from their school year. This is a step in the wrong direction. It's inconceivable to me that this is the best solution for Hawaii.

President Obama and Congress worked together to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the Recovery Act. The law includes $100 billion for education. Of that, $40 billion or more will help states avoid devastating cuts in K-12 education and drive reforms in states. My department has already made $105 million available to Hawaii from this stabilization fund. Hawaii is eligible for $52 million more when we release the rest of those funds later this year. In total, Hawaii's schools and students are scheduled to receive more than $500 million from the Recovery Act.

In addition, my department has $5 billion for competitive grants to advance school reform. The $4.35 billion Race to the Top Fund will reward states that are leading the way in reform and making education a priority. The $650 million Investing in Innovation Fund will go to districts that are advancing research-based programs to improve student achievement.

I understand that Hawaii is feeling the pain of the economy more than many states. The tourism industry is struggling. The unemployment rate is climbing. Investments in commercial real estate are declining. Tax revenues aren't meeting your budget projections. These are tough times, I know. But now is not the time to decrease investment in education. Hawaii's economic problems should not be creating an educational crisis for its children.

I was disappointed to learn that Hawaii has started closing its schools on most Fridays and will reduce the 2009-10 school year by 17 days. Sure, students may like the three-day weekends now, but I know they also realize that they will lose out in the long run if they don't receive the education they need and deserve. They understand that they won't be prepared for success in the global workforce if we cut back on the amount of time they spend in school.

Since becoming secretary of education in January, I've urged states and districts to increase the amount of time students are learning. Our competitors across the globe are doing that — and they're reaping the economic benefits of a well-educated work force.

School districts across the country are using Recovery Act funds to lengthen their school days or school years. During my seven years as CEO of the Chicago Public Schools, I saw schools that extended learning time make gains in student achievement. When done right, extended learning time allows schools to creatively add activities that reinforce what students learn during the regular school day and expand student participation in the arts and other enrichment activities.

I will work closely with Hawaii's Congressional delegation. But solving this problem will take more than federal assistance. The people in Hawaii must come together to create a solution. Elected officials, educators, union officials, community leaders and parents must work together to do the right thing for Hawaii's children.

There has to be a better solution than cutting more than three weeks from the school year. Even in these difficult financial times, we have to invest in our children's education — not reduce their opportunity to prepare themselves to succeed in the global marketplace.