Contact: Will Potter , NEA Public Relations (202) 822-7823

July 3, 2007

Kucinich, Richardson Call for NCLB Reform  

Presidential candidates join NEA in urging full funding and flexibility under the law

PHILADELPHIA—Presidential candidates Dennis Kucinich and Bill Richardson joined more than 9,000 educators today in calling for adequate school funding, professional respect and meaningful reforms to No Child Left Behind. Education must be front and center in presidential campaigning, the candidates said, and one of the most pressing education issues facing lawmakers is improving NCLB during congressional reauthorization.

“The thousands of educators here today know what works for their students and what doesn’t,” said NEA President Reg Weaver. “We’re pleased to hear that these candidates have heard and understood our concerns, and are willing to take action to make the promise of great public schools for every child a reality.”

The candidates addressed the school employees at the National Education Association’s Representative Assembly, the largest democratic decision-making body in the world.

Congressman Dennis Kucinich said that if elected he would not only fully fund NCLB, but double spending related to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. He also pledged to fully fund the basic right of every child to attend quality public schools, which he said should include college. Other education proposals included universal prekindergarten access and professional development opportunities for teachers and education support professionals.

Kucinich said he would pay for these proposals by eliminating waste and overspending on military operations, and cutting the Pentagon’s budget by 15 percent so that money could go straight to education programs. “It’s time to make education a central organizing principle of our nation,” he said.

As governor, Bill Richardson expanded collective bargaining rights to school employees and raised teacher salaries from 46th in the nation to 29th. He was the first presidential candidate to raise education as a critical national issue in the televised debates. On Tuesday he reaffirmed his commitment to a starting salary of $40,000 for every public schoolteacher, and also pledged to name a teacher to be secretary of education.

Richardson decried NCLB’s heavy emphasis on testing and punishment, and said schools failing to make adequate yearly progress should receive government assistance, not sanctions. NCLB “was a noble goal, but it has been implemented unfairly,” he said. “When I’m elected, it will be improved or it will be abolished.”

The New Mexico governor also committed to making a major change in the U.S. Department of Education. “When I’m President,” said Richardson, “the Secretary of Education will be a teacher.”

During the Representative Assembly, delegates from around the country discuss, debate and vote on critical issues facing public education, such as teacher recruitment and retention and education funding. A major topic at the Representative Assembly has been No Child Left Behind, the Bush administration’s controversial education reform program up for congressional reauthorization this year. Along with setting NEA’s agenda for the coming year, delegates at the Representative Assembly will hear eight presidential candidates—seven Democrats and one Republican—lay out their visions for the future of America’s public schools. The Representative Assembly runs through Thursday, July 5, in Philadelphia.

To request media credentials, please call (202) 822-7823.

For more information and a full listing of scheduled events: www.nea.org/annualmeeting

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty,
educational support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.