Edwards Hits Home on Education
John Edwards spoke at a house party in Hampton to a crowd of over 200. What interested me the most was his response to what to do about the “No Child Left Behind” program. Edwards would overhaul the program to promote successful education practices rather than penalize poor performance. He sadi cookie cutter testing doesn’t work for every community. A third grader shouldn’t be compared to all third graders, but to themselves. Are they growing, achieving, succeeding and if not, what can their school do to help them improve? If we are testing instead of teaching, what are the children learning? Edwards said it this way, “A hog ain’t gonna get fatter if you keep weighing it.” It took the crowd an extra beat to absorb the southern colloquialism before we laughed. Around here, most of our farms have disappeared. I liked the down to earth sentiment of the statement and that Edwards didn’t adapt it for a New England audience.
More broadly on education, he outlined a national program for pre-K education, a program to make college affordable to all, and a national teachers college, like a West Point for educators. Our country will pay for the college education and the graduates are required to serve the country by committing some years to teaching in underfinanced, needy schools, urban, rural or in between.
I was struck by the consistency of Edwards to draw large crowds at every event in the NH Seacoast area. He made a few opening remarks and announced his endorsement by Friends of the Earth Action environmental group and then engaged the crowd by answering questions.
On Iraq, he outlined his plan for troop withdrawal and measures he would take to work at a political solution involving all the interested parties. Since we don’t know what the situation in Iraq will be in January, 2009, we can’t know for sure what solution will work then, but we do need to be ready to engage in the situation that may evolve. Edwards is clearly watching, listening and identifying the key issues and players that need to be addressed in a resolution in Iraq.
The last part of the day I liked was about public campaign financing which Edwards has committed to, leading by example. He wants the playing field to be level, so any capable person can be elected President, not just those who can afford to buy the position. Although this was a free, non-fundraising event, checkbooks came out after the Senator was finished to help him earn those matching funds. The enthusiasm and energy radiating from the crowd as they departed was palpable.