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Thursday, April 17, 2008

Guest View: Put Money in Public Education

By By Gov. Bill Richardson /

      It’s impossible to run for president of the United States and not have it become a unique and intense learning experience. One of the things I learned was that unsolicited political advice is always available.
       I would ask Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama, however, to indulge me by listening to, and to consider accepting, some advice regarding what I consider to be a critical priority for this country. I also found it to be a winning conversation with voters that has been too often overlooked of late.
       The issue is public education. The reporters aren’t asking about it. The pundits aren’t pontificating about it. But the voting public is almost universally interested in discussing it.
       Equally important is the fact that the Democratic Party and both of its presidential candidates have a winning message on public education.
       Words almost fail in trying to describe the depth of frustration, confusion, and even anger that most voters have with how the Bush administration has treated America’s children and their public schools.
       Hillary and Barack, you both talk about creating change, well this is one area where people want dramatic change, and want it now.
       Voters crave action. They are desperate to see public officials working together to transform public schools into the inspiring centers of learning that they should be for every student in America.
       To be clear — voters value and support their local public schools, which have always been the pathways to the American dream. Any changes must be designed to strengthen the opportunities for every student.
       Public school programs should lift children up, not let them down and simply define students and schools by test scores. Voters are deeply concerned about inequality, and they want leadership to address the continuing disparities in available resources that pose challenges for many inner-city schools, rural schools and other struggling schools.
       They understand that students are unique, and they envision targeted support to individual students, particularly those with special needs, in order to help them succeed.
       They want the next president to scrap No Child Left Behind and create a system that will focus on helping the children and schools that need it most, instead of punishing those who are struggling.
       Voters also understand that starting early with children’s learning is critical to future success. That’s why they support universal access to quality pre-K programs.
       Voters know the key to student achievement is to have quality, well-paid teachers in every classroom, art and music back in the curriculum, strong science and math programs, safe and secure schools, and access to the latest technology.
       And they want these opportunities for all children, no matter where they live, how much money their parents make, or what their surname might be.
       Voters also have an almost instinctive understanding that taking money away from public schools through schemes like vouchers and tax credits is inherently unfair and un-American.
       And voters know that it will take a united effort — of educators, parents, community leaders and federal, state and local governments — to transform our public schools and to enable our students to be the prepared citizens of tomorrow. I believe this can be done.
       We’ve done it in New Mexico — we’ve put more money into our classrooms, we pay our teachers better while holding them more accountable, we’ve created a model pre-K program, and we’re expanding access to higher education. It can be done nationally, too.
       Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama, each of you has excited the voters with inspirational and aspirational visions of change for the future. My personal belief is that great public schools must be the bedrock upon which the changes both of you are talking about will be based. We need a sharp break with the failed policies of today and a strong vision for the future.
       It’s time for both of you to talk loudly and clearly about public education and the changes each of you would make. Voters are anxious to hear this message as this campaign goes forward.
   

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