Today, we are going to explore another tremendously important facet of K through 12 education-what we, as a country, need to do to meet the needs of special student populations to ensure that all students have access to a high-quality education that prepares them for college or a career after graduation. Secretary Duncan has correctly called education ''the civil rights issue of our time.'' Our public education system was founded in the 19th century, at a time when, for the most part, only affluent white males were given access to an education. Over the past century, we have taken tremendous steps to change that and to guarantee that all students, regardless of background, have access to an education that gives them the opportunity to live a successful and fulfilling life.