We have to stop pretending the situation is not critical. There is a body of literature out there that speaks to the education of the African-American child. It's not included in this plan.

There needs to be as much attention given to African-American children as there is to English language learners. And not at the expense of English language learners.

These kids are amazing. They could have easily said what's the use and no one would have blamed them, but they did not do that. They became even more determined to compete. We are so proud of them.

They did a great amount of work in a short time to prepare for this competition.