The Education Bill only gives the increased funding to school systems which meet the requirements (testing, improved scores for students, teacher certification, etc.) If school systems do not meet the requirements, they do not get the money. Why do you think that the NEA HATES the "No Child Left Behind" Act?
As early as August of 2004, after the convention, there are articles talking about this and his "Texas Miracle" (in which he increased spending on education, demanded accountability from Texas school systems by instituting standard tests and promoted phonics in reading education). Vouchers were only ONE portion of his education proposals, and like Reagan, he took what he could get.
Yes, Kennedy supported the bill. And Kennedy didn't understand what the bill meant, because NOW Kennedy is howling that there isn't enough money being spent. And why is that? Because schools who didn't meet the requirements don't get the money!
Sorry, but if all you heard was vouchers you weren't really paying attention.
And the President still supports vouchers, which many states are now trying to institute. You will note that the ACLU and the NEA are filing lawsuits against every voucher law enacted. They are losing, but it is a slow progress for our side as this is being fought in the courts.
If this education bill is so leftist, why does the NEA hate it? And why do you not know all the parts of his education proposals from the campaign? I knew them, and I was only a lowly campaign envelope-licker and phone answerer, and I have no access to anyone more important than my county Republican Chairman.
Bush increased spending 80% over his first five budgets, but the kids' knowledge has not increased. The tests are not standardized. I have a lot of teachers as clients, and a few of them are actually bright and conservative. They confirm that the teachers are teaching to score on tests, not teaching what is needed to make kids learn.
In addition, the tests are not standardized. If an investigation was done to prove that the so-called standardized tests are not standardized, it weould be a major national scandal; we all know this is fact, and my clients in the education system confirm the tests have been watered down.
The end result is the USA's kids still rank at the bottom compared to foreign students. Bush and his admin did not demand the lousy teachers be axed and the whole damn corrupt, commie infested DOE be cleaned up. The result is Bush has trashed BILLIONS of taxpayer money and the school system is as decrepit as ever.