Michelle Obama focuses on schools
Michelle Obama rallied the troops at the Education Department this afternoon, choosing public schools as the issue for her first substantive public appearance as first lady.
"I'm a product of your work," she said, noting that she attended Chicago's public schools. The new education secretary, Arne Duncan, was the CEO of that system.
"I wouldn't be here if it weren't for the public schools that nurtured me and helped me along. And I am committed, as well as my husband, to ensuring that more kids like us and kids around this country, regardless of their race, their income, their status, their -- the property values in their neighborhoods, get access to an outstanding education."
She said that she and President Obama are committed to giving children an outstanding education and will make investments in public schools in the stimulus package going through Congress.
"Thank you and roll up your sleeves, because we have a lot of work to do," she said.
Michelle Obama spoke last week at a private reception marking the signing of an equal pay law.
Comment
Permalink
EmailThis blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
About Political Intelligence
News from the Washington Bureau
Lets get this party started! Not everyone can afford private schools, raise the teachers pay (they deserve it) and watch them teach! kind of hard to get motivated on the peanuts they make.
An ardent supporter of public schools, rallying the troops. Sounds great! Wait a minute, aren't her kids going to private school. Typical liberal hypocrit
Like any good parent, after moving to DC she chose the best school for her children - private, elite, Sidwell Friends. Proof will be how forcefully she supports charter schools in our major cities. Anything less is political payoff to teacher unions who politically supported her husband.
Halleluiah, finally a President and First Lady committed to helping middle class families and their public school age children! Get to work fast - there is a lot to do!
I like how there's no mention of how the Obamas are sending their kids to PRIVATE school.
Oddly, the commitment of the Obamas to public schools does not extend to their children. Last time I checked, the Obama girls were enrolled in a tony and expensive private school in D.C.
I guess public schools are a great option until you can affort something else!
I must say that I am happy she has picked this as her issue. But the message of her daughters going to private schools is not the greatest for someone picking this theme. Public schools will always be in a tough position, because they must serve everyone. I know personally that a poorly performing school can benefit from private donations, and a well-performing school will be on a par with the best private ones if there are extras, such as grants, which are raised by interested community members. Sometimes, it is just a matter of expediting things, getting around the red tape. Teaching to the test in a community where there are too few resources to help with the subject matter is why such schools are low-rated.
I would assume that Michelle Obama's work with public schools will be less controversial than Hillary's on health care. The profit motive will not be challenged to the same degree, because the elite private schools do not compete as big money-makers with the public schools.
Throwing more money at the problem is a typically useless liberal response.
If you really want to improve the schools, then support school choice.
They are the daughters if the President of the United States, for God's sake! Not only are there security issues, but they deserve a little special treatment as far as I am concerned. They should be in private school - no questions asked.
They are acknowledging their experience in the public school system and how it has enabled them to live a better life hence able to afford to send their children to private schools. They are identifying important policy areas that can help Americans improe and move forward.
Pro America Anti-America: This article does not mention throwing money at anything. Please refrain from saying unintelligent things.
And secondly, yes the Obama's are sending their children to Private school. Would you rather she sent her children to substandard institutions just to make a point? Please. The way to fix this problem is not to send her kids to public school to make a point, it's to fix public schools so that in the future the President's children won't have to go to a private school.
Yes, right now private schools are the best option. Anyone who says anything differently should yank their head out of their asses, take a trip to Andover or Exeter, and then juxtapose that with a trip to roughly any public high school anywhere. There is a difference, and it is not slim. Now please, stop bitching about this minor point and be glad with the fact that someone is trying to fix the effing problem.
when money is invested in public schools, putting them on par with private schools, i'm sure they will gladly send their kids to public school.
what about the subject matter that is taught to 100% of students but is only used by 3-5%. There is more useful subject matter that should be taught to prepare our children for living in a society.