Kerry On Education... says money lacking behind Bush education rhetoric...
By WILL LESTER, Associated Press
Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry criticized President Bush on Thursday for offering slogans and rhetoric about improving education but failing to provide enough money to upgrade the nation's schools.
"I can't wait to crisscross this country and hold the president accountable for making a mockery of the words 'leave no child behind,"' the Massachusetts senator told about 3,000 teachers attending a conference of the American Federation of Teachers. "This is the biggest 'say one thing, do another' administration that I've seen."
Kerry said Bush's tax cuts are making it difficult for the federal government to support school programs, and he criticized an administration proposal to give control for Head Start preschool programs to the states.
"Every single person who knows anything about Head Start or education understands what they're really trying to do is put it in a block grant and shove it off on the states which already have a lot of problems," Kerry said.
The Democrat said administration officials "should tell the truth about their intentions, they ought to tell the truth about a lot of the things they're doing today."
Republicans rejected Kerry's criticism, arguing that the GOP "has made tremendous strides in the area of education," said Republican spokeswoman Christine Iverson. "Democrats know that and they're concerned about losing on an issue that has traditionally belonged to them."
Bush has proposed $53 billion for the Education Department next year, an increase of $2.8 billion. The total includes $22.5 billion for No Child Left Behind programs. Critics complain that the law authorized much more for certain programs.
As the mother of a public high school student in Los Angeles, I feel strongly about the need for more funds for Education. Bush's No Child Left Behind program, does just that, it leaves children behind. The school my daughter attends, North Hollywood High School boasts a Highly Gifted Magnet, a Zoology Magnet, and seven Small Learning Academies. This school is on three track sessions with a population of approximately 5000 students. Of this years incoming freshman it is estimated that only 55% may actually graduate. Some won't have the grades, some will simply drop out. North Hollwood High School was on this years Newsweek's Top 100 Schools list. They have a large number of AP students, yet they are overcrowded, lacking funds and understaffed.
Some of the Small Learning Academies like the Naturalist Academy that my daughter attends there are funded by grants and donations, not by L.A.U.S.D. For the students of the Naturalist Academy to take a field trip, parents must raise the money to pay for buses. The Naturalist Academy is a unique program that offers students Honors and AP classes with an Environment focus. There is small farm area with beautiful gardens which it's coordinator Randy Vail calls his "oases for his students away from the concrete jungle".
It is my feeling that John Kerry is strong on education and that he is committed to children not being left behind. As an Environmentalist, the Naturalist Academy is the type of program that John Kerry might encourage in public schools. I have invited John Kerry, on behalf of the students and coordinator of the Naturalist, to visit our program and speak to our students while campaigning in California. We hope that John Kerry will honor our request.
By WILL LESTER, Associated Press
Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry criticized President Bush on Thursday for offering slogans and rhetoric about improving education but failing to provide enough money to upgrade the nation's schools.
"I can't wait to crisscross this country and hold the president accountable for making a mockery of the words 'leave no child behind,"' the Massachusetts senator told about 3,000 teachers attending a conference of the American Federation of Teachers. "This is the biggest 'say one thing, do another' administration that I've seen."
Kerry said Bush's tax cuts are making it difficult for the federal government to support school programs, and he criticized an administration proposal to give control for Head Start preschool programs to the states.
"Every single person who knows anything about Head Start or education understands what they're really trying to do is put it in a block grant and shove it off on the states which already have a lot of problems," Kerry said.
The Democrat said administration officials "should tell the truth about their intentions, they ought to tell the truth about a lot of the things they're doing today."
Republicans rejected Kerry's criticism, arguing that the GOP "has made tremendous strides in the area of education," said Republican spokeswoman Christine Iverson. "Democrats know that and they're concerned about losing on an issue that has traditionally belonged to them."
Bush has proposed $53 billion for the Education Department next year, an increase of $2.8 billion. The total includes $22.5 billion for No Child Left Behind programs. Critics complain that the law authorized much more for certain programs.
As the mother of a public high school student in Los Angeles, I feel strongly about the need for more funds for Education. Bush's No Child Left Behind program, does just that, it leaves children behind. The school my daughter attends, North Hollywood High School boasts a Highly Gifted Magnet, a Zoology Magnet, and seven Small Learning Academies. This school is on three track sessions with a population of approximately 5000 students. Of this years incoming freshman it is estimated that only 55% may actually graduate. Some won't have the grades, some will simply drop out. North Hollwood High School was on this years Newsweek's Top 100 Schools list. They have a large number of AP students, yet they are overcrowded, lacking funds and understaffed.
Some of the Small Learning Academies like the Naturalist Academy that my daughter attends there are funded by grants and donations, not by L.A.U.S.D. For the students of the Naturalist Academy to take a field trip, parents must raise the money to pay for buses. The Naturalist Academy is a unique program that offers students Honors and AP classes with an Environment focus. There is small farm area with beautiful gardens which it's coordinator Randy Vail calls his "oases for his students away from the concrete jungle".
It is my feeling that John Kerry is strong on education and that he is committed to children not being left behind. As an Environmentalist, the Naturalist Academy is the type of program that John Kerry might encourage in public schools. I have invited John Kerry, on behalf of the students and coordinator of the Naturalist, to visit our program and speak to our students while campaigning in California. We hope that John Kerry will honor our request.
posted by Pamela J. Leavey at 9:38 PM
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