Statement on Education

By Lois Herr

Original statement can be reviewed at http://www.herr2010.com/issues02_education.htm

Quality public education has been the ladder into the middle class for generations of Americans, and it must remain so. We cannot reform and improve our public schools by draining money from them for vouchers.

No matter how well meaning, the "No Child Left Behind" bill is failing, because it has not been funded. It is hypocritical to make an eighth-grader "responsible" for her test scores while professional politicians don't take responsibility for funding schools, teachers and students.

Rather than reducing Pell Grants and Federal loan guarantees for college students, we must make it a national goal that higher education should be in the 21st century what high school became in the 20th + available for all.

We have always taken for granted our national leadership in innovation and science. China now graduates four times as many scientists and engineers as the U.S., and India is right behind.

Unwavering commitment to quality public education and college for all is critical not just for our children, but for American competitiveness. Priorities for Public Education

Eliminating disparity in funding and improving access to quality education in a safe environment must be priorities for us all. The one size fits all approach of No Child Left Behind has done nothing to impact the real issues of providing "great public schools". I would seek assistance from educators, and the National Education Association (NEA) specifically as the representative of over 2 million education and health care employees, in evaluating any future education bills. Together we can assure that adequate funding is appropriated and best practice disseminated equitably across the nation.

The reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Higher Education Act will be priorities for Congress and must address the inequity of funding, unfunded mandates, and unintended consequences of the No Child Left Behind Act. The President's initiatives regarding Pell Grants and other innovations in education and funding should be carefully weighed and incorporated into pending legislation. We must be committed to providing access to health care for all families. This single achievement would not only improve student health but also remove many of the economic obstacles to school reform.

Federal and State standards are critical. However, implementation of standards must evolve with administration and teachers at a building or district level as each situation demands attention to the specific needs of students, communities, or affecting circumstances. We have seen the damage that can be done by federal level mandates that are a tax burden for communities but have no relevance at the local level.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), at its inception, was not fully funded and we continue 35 years later to fall short of our responsibility to children with special needs. Some children are exceedingly costly to educate leaving districts to make decisions on the basis of cost rather than fully meeting the physiological or intellectual needs of the child demanded by law and educational standards. Congress must establish a threshold at which the federal government assumes the financial responsibility from family or educational entity to educate that child.

Charter schools must meet the same exacting standards as public schools within the area in which they are chartered. Under no circumstances should private schools receive funding intended for public education before the funding formula is met. New legislation must maintain safeguards for professionals in collective bargaining and as it may impact professional licensure or certification. Merit pay, or any form of compensation developed without professional input, must be avoided.