We all know there are many important issues facing voters this November, but no single issue affects so many others quite the way education does. Just look at the issues highlighted on this site. From health care to foreign policy to women in the workplace and women's economic security, everything is based on knowledge-of the world around us, of our society, of our chosen profession-and key to implementing this knowledge is the ability to first attain it. Because it is the cornerstone to so many other things, education is also a critical election issue.

Education expands horizons and opens doors. It has been one of the primary tools people have used to improve their circumstances, to ensure that the next generation has a better life than their parents did. As the key to individual and family economic security, education influences both wages now and retirement savings down the road. In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that on average a worker's annual earnings will double with a college degree compared to a high school degree. College degrees have economic and social benefits for the community as well: increased tax revenues, decreased reliance on public assistance programs, lower unemployment rates, and increased voting, volunteering, and other civic activities.

By the year 2014, it is estimated that there will be four million new jobs where postsecondary education will most likely be necessary. In order to build a well-educated and highly skilled workforce to meet the demands of a high-tech 21st century economy, we must hold our government accountable to its commitment to fund quality education programs at all levels. Increasing the opportunities for all Americans to attend and finish college is critical to our country's global competitiveness, as well as to research and innovation that not only drive economic development but also improve the lives of our sisters and brothers around the world. As the skill requirements of jobs continue to increase, so too should access to postsecondary education for all students.

Despite the benefits of education, less than 30 percent of adults in this country have college degrees. We have a lot of work to do to make college accessible and affordable for everyone-and to make sure our elementary and secondary schools prepare students to succeed in college when they get there. The No Child Left Behind Act and the Higher Education Act, the cornerstones of our government's commitment to K-12 and postsecondary education, are both up for congressional reauthorization this year. In addition to setting national priorities for educational achievement and providing critical funding and student aid, these bills could potentially strengthen our enforcement of Title IX, provide additional on-campus childcare, and encourage more women and girls to pursue careers in science and math. With so much of our future riding on education, I can't think of a single more important election issue facing our nation.

Lecia Imbery is the Public Policy Grassroots Coordinator for the American Association of University Women (AAUW) in Washington, D.C. She promotes advocacy efforts among AAUW members and supporters, and she provides technical assistance to public policy member leaders. She also works with AAUW's national coalition partners to coordinate effective grassroots campaigns nationwide on issues related to education, economic security, and civil rights. Lecia works with AAUW's Voter Education Campaign and is a frequent contributor to AAUW's blog, AAUW Dialog.