No Child, Voter, Worker, or District Left Behind

Friends, I have so much to share and so little time to do so, I thought I'd just pop in during my break and post an update on the the little campaign that could, thanks in no small part to BlueNC.

If you know anything about my 2006 campaign, you know we broke the mold, broke the rules, made our own support, and just about won in spite of all the odds.

So knowing me and the fact that I'm a school teacher now after 27 years in textiles, you shouldn't be surprised that when the DCCC invited me to DC this week to meet with them about 2008 I had to speak my mind, and I did.

We have to fix No Child Left Behind.

I teach school every day. I did most of my 2006 campaign and am now. I know what a burden Federal intrusion has placed on our teachers, families and young people and I know the President is looking to renew his policy this year. In fact, he's pushing his failed policy today in New Orleans of all places, where he left so many of our children behind already.

Sadly, I can't be in the 110th to introduce legislation this year, but here's what I proposed last year...

Last year as both Democratic Nominee for Congress in North Carolina's 8th District and perhaps more importantly as a working High School teacher, I rolled out a plan to reform President Bush's controversial No Child Left Behind program. As most educators will tell you, the best thing about No Child Left Behind is the message implied in its name. We can do better.

My 5-point plan simplifies the overly complex and punitive burden on our education system with real life perspective from the classroom:

-1) Adequately fund the mandates.
-2) Reduce the punitive nature while keeping accountability.
-3) Move to growth modules that treat students as individuals.
-4) Allow flexibility for hiring highly qualified teachers.
-5) Stop penalizing diversity.

We need government's help, not Washington's bureaucracy. Give our schools the funding and the flexibility to adapt for whatever challenges may arise and our schools will begin to truly leave no child behind.

See the plan.

This week, I met with the DCCC, the NEA, the AFT, the Democratic caucus, the NC delegation and have their support and input.

I look forward to yours.