President Obama has called education equality the “civil rights issue of our time,” and has made it one of his administration's top priorities. He’s pushed for changes to improve our nation’s schools in order to put an outstanding education within reach of every American.

The Recovery Act included $5 billion for early learning programs, such as Head Start, Early Head Start, child care, and programs for children with special needs.

The Obama administration launched Race to the Top, an initiative that allows schools to compete for $4.35 billion in federal school improvement money after they lift barriers to charter schools.

Charter schools are an important investment, and currently educate 31 percent African American students. President Obama has focused on higher education opportunities benefiting the African American community.

President Obama’s policies will benefit the significant number of African American students who apply for Pell grants by providing 820,000 more grants by 2020.

46 percent of African Americans in undergraduate programs received Pell grants—higher than any other group.

The President also secured a $2.55 billion investment in historically black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions across ten years to ensure more African Americans have access to higher education.

Loan Forgiveness and income-based repayment programs will help all students make school more affordable.

This February, African American History Month, we can look back and see what President Obama has done and continues to do for African Americans in our education system. These measures are key to helping achieve true equal opportunities for all Americans. To see what else President Obama has accomplished for the African American community, click here.