During a speech to students across the nation, broadcast Sept. 8 from Wakefield High School in Arlington, Va., President Barack Obama discussed the responsibility of teachers, principals, parents and the government in public education.

“At the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities,” Obama told students. “Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.”

Obama encouraged students to nurture the skills at which they excel, because these skills are what will lead them to a successful career.

“Every single one of you has something you’re good at,” he said. “Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can provide.”

Obama stressed the importance of education, and said despite the career goal – whether it be a doctor, lawyer, teacher, police officer, nurse or architect – an education is essential.

“You can’t drop out of school and just drop into a good job. You’ve got to work for it and train for it and learn for it,” he said. “And this isn’t just important for your own life and your own future. What you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this country. What you’re learning in school today will determine whether we as a nation can meet our greatest challenges in the future.”

Obama said the future of the country is dependent upon the success of students. He said without education, students won’t develop the problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity and ingenuity needed to address the issues facing the world.

“We need every single one of you to develop your talents, skills and intellect so you can help solve our most difficult problems,” he said. “If you don’t do that – if you quit on school – you’re not just quitting on yourself, you’re quitting on your country.”

Obama said it is important for students to be empowered, and to take their future in their own hands. He called on students to set their own goals for education, whether it be finishing their homework, reading a book or volunteering in the community.

He said he understands how tough school can be at times, and said not everyone succeeds at everything the first time they try. But, hard work and determination can allow anyone to overcome those failures.

“If you get in trouble, that doesn’t mean you’re a troublemaker, it means you need to try harder to behave. If you get a bad grade, that doesn’t mean you’re stupid, it just means you need to spend more time studying,” he said. “No one’s born being good at things, you become good at things through hard work. You’re not a varsity athlete the first time you play a new sport. You don’t hit every note the first time you sing a song. You’ve got to practice. It’s the same with your schoolwork. You might have to do a math problem a few times before you get it right, or read something a few times before you understand it, or do a few drafts of a paper before it’s good enough to hand in.”

He also said students shouldn’t hesitate to ask for help if they need it. Parents, teachers, principals and other school staff are there to help, and asking for it isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength.

“It shows you have the courage to admit when you don’t know something, and to learn something new,” he said. “And even when you’re struggling, even when you’re discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on you – don’t ever give up on yourself. Because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.

“The story of America isn’t about people who quit when things got tough. It’s about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best.”

California Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell commended the president for taking the time to address students, and said his message of doing more with less was inspirational.

“These are trying times for America as millions of people continue to cope with the effects of the global economic downturn,” O’Connell said. “Unfortunately, our students and educators are not immune to this phenomenon, and cutbacks in education funding across the country – especially here in California – illustrate this reality all too well.”

O’Connell applauded the president for encouraging students to set their educational goals high and to commit themselves to reaching and exceeding those benchmarks, as students are the future of the country.

“President Obama also discussed an important idea that all Americans must come to understand: The future of our country is inextricably linked with the future of our students. They are very much one and the same,” he said. “This is a president who understands this concept and is prepared to do all that he can to positively affect it; and I stand in strong support of his efforts.”

Click here to read Obama’s speech in its entirety.