NEA lauds education plan of President Bartlet:
Leaders of the National Education Association had better switch off their television sets and start studying Reality 101.
Last week, after viewing NBC's prime-time show "The West Wing," the national educators took the incredible step of issuing a news release headlined: "NEA backs President Bartlet's call for school quality. Wednesday's 'The West Wing' featured President Bartlet's plea for more teachers and better-funded public schools. NEA strongly agrees."
Reaction on Capitol Hill?
Republicans, if nobody else, are "shaking their heads," says David Schnittger, communications director for the House Education and the Workforce Committee.
"What's interesting is the NEA doesn't give credit to the actual president — President Bush — for actually delivering a whopping 38 percent increase in federal funding for teachers this year as part of the No Child Left Behind Act," Mr. Schnittger reminds this column.
Under those reforms, he notes, federal funding for teacher-quality programs this year jumps 38 percent — by $787 million — to $2.85 billion to help train, recruit and retain quality teachers. Mr. Bush's support "is far more than was ever provided under President Clinton," Mr. Schnittger adds.
In its news release, the NEA also applauds the fictitious President Bartlet for pointing out in his weekly address to the nation that there's "too much mayhem in our culture — and we can do something about that."
It so happens that the nonfictitious president, Mr. Bush, is speaking to that precise point in his nationally televised address this evening. We'll be sure to bring you NEA reaction to that speech, or any comments from President Bartlet and his Hollywood speechwriters.
washtimes.com |
