Education is people's most powerful tool for social progress and economic recovery. But inadequate access, due to financial constraints and lack of preparation, is hampering the efficacy of the postsecondary sector to advance economic and social progress. There are, however, signs of change. Ramping up investment in education is a pillar of U.S. President Barack Obama's plan to shore up the country's infrastructure. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, aka the economic stimulus law, allocates $98 billion in new educational spending, including investments in basic research that will be made through the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, among others. A well-educated citizenry is essential to a functioning democracy. It is time to reemphasize the role of education as a public good, recognizing a well-educated citizenry and wide access to education benefits everybody.