Thursday, March 31, 2011
Zombie Attack! Zombie Attack!
Zombie's overrun Congress. Senators forced to move to the center of the room for safety.
Congress Returns to Normalcy
President Obama denies the reports that he lied, noting that there is no stories of zombie outbreaks in news sources like "CNN and the New York Times." It seems irrelevant whether these fictitious news sources cover this story, as Claremont Media Coverage, an authentic source of news, has covered it. Congress seemed to accept his cover-up, and debate over passing the SHEEN Act continues.
Breaking News: OBAMA LIES
Julien Assange, author of Wikileaks, just sent an email and two attachments revealing that President Obama lied regarding the scope of the Zombie outbreak. While we cannot divulge the attachments to the public, we have attached his email:
Attached to this email are documents received by Wikileaks which demonstrate that the Obama Administration lied to us regarding the extent of the outbreak. It is clear that the outbreak was both much more severe and much longer lived than we were lead to believe. Wikileaks will continue to bring you the truth and release documents as we are able to process them. These two are but the first of a massive submission we received. The first document is a PowerPoint that accompanied a USAMRIID briefing and the second is footage shot by a set of Ukrainian arms dealers. We hope that you will use this information to react wisely to an epidemic which still may be ongoing.
Yours in truth,
Julian
More news to follow.
Attached to this email are documents received by Wikileaks which demonstrate that the Obama Administration lied to us regarding the extent of the outbreak. It is clear that the outbreak was both much more severe and much longer lived than we were lead to believe. Wikileaks will continue to bring you the truth and release documents as we are able to process them. These two are but the first of a massive submission we received. The first document is a PowerPoint that accompanied a USAMRIID briefing and the second is footage shot by a set of Ukrainian arms dealers. We hope that you will use this information to react wisely to an epidemic which still may be ongoing.
Yours in truth,
Julian
More news to follow.
CAP and GOWN Act Passes
CAP and GOWN Act Passes, with 34 for and 12 against. The bill was largely endorsed and proposed by Senator Bingaman and Senator Murray. All of the Democrats voted for the bill, as well as Republican senators Collins, Kirk, Murkowski, Snowe, Roberts, Isaacson, and others. Ultimately, this bill passed with a lot of bipartisan help.
Senator Bingaman remarks: "As chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources committee, I've worked tirelessly to help build up a green economy for more sustainable and energy efficient jobs...this bill should help put at risk youth in places where they can take the opportunity to take these new jobs...and have a new green economy. This is huge because it will help bring these new tech jobs to states that have had a really difficult time in this economy."
Senator Bingaman remarks: "As chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources committee, I've worked tirelessly to help build up a green economy for more sustainable and energy efficient jobs...this bill should help put at risk youth in places where they can take the opportunity to take these new jobs...and have a new green economy. This is huge because it will help bring these new tech jobs to states that have had a really difficult time in this economy."
Vice President Biden Pronounces Senator's Name Wrong
Vice President Biden just pronounced Senator Udall's name (D-CO) "Ooh-dall" instead of "You-dall." Slightly embarrassing for the Executive Branch.
Another Act Passes: CHARLIE Act
Sen Udall (D-CO) poses with Charlie Sheen after the congressional hearing on Tuesday
If laws keep getting passed this quickly, then we might live under a completely new regime by Friday. Democrats thank Charlie Sheen, who gave testimony earlier this week in support of the CHARLIE ACT, for his powerful words that helped this bill gain the support it needed to become law.
Outrage in Senate Over Photo of Senator Brown
Photo of Senator Brown (R-MA) courtesy of google images
Senator Begich (D-AK) displayed discomfort at Senator Brown's photo, which presides in front of his computer. The Senate put the matter to a vote, and decided that Senator Brown may keep his picture up. It will be hard to stay focused in Congress while such an attractive photo remains visible.
No Child Left Behind Act passes unanimously
Improvements to the No Child Left Behind Act pass unanimously. President Obama was unprepared to sign the bill, and reached for the nearest sheet of scrap paper to serve as a placeholder for actually signing a bill.
Congress Yields to Obama
Congress gives in, changing the wording of section 13 of the CHARLIE Act to "Congress is tired of these snakes in this country." Grow a pair, Congress.
Congress is tired of these motherf*****g snakes in this motherf*****g country
CHARLIE's Act passes, with few dissenters. CHARLIE's Act provides money for mentally unstable veterans. President Obama swears to veto the bill if section 13, in its current form, remains in place. Why the controversy? "Section 13 - Congress is tired of these motherf******g snakes in this motherf*****g country." President Obama: "I don't want the "f" word in a law."
After Zombie Scare Senators Bring Weapons to Work
The only reminder of lasts night outbreak are the orange guns scattered over the desks of many different congressmen's desks. Sen Murkowski's (R-AK) seems especially paranoid and keeps reaching for her gun during debate.
Sen Rand Paul (R- KY) shows his support for the second amendment:
Sen Rand Paul (R- KY) shows his support for the second amendment:
Chaos Ensues in Congressional Chamber
Disagreement ensues over how to vote on a proposed amendment. Will we vote by raised hands or saying aye? If Congress can't agree on a simple measure of how to vote, we can only imagine how long it's going to take to pass certain bills...
COOL PEEPS PARTY Act passes
COOL PEEPS PARTY act passes unanimously. The act supports community schools which need more federal funding.
First Bill Passed: the CARA Act
The CARA Act passes with only two dissenting votes from Sen Paul (R-KY) and Sen Vitter (R-LA). The Act will provide more funding to children with autism.
Congress Meets Tonight to Discuss Bills
Congress meets tonight to discuss the nine bills on the table. Among the contended bills are the CARA act, the SHEEN act, the CAP and Gown act, and the LEAP act. The meeting gets under way (20 minutes late), with the number of amendments set at four per bill.
Stay tuned for updated coverage on the debates.
Stay tuned for updated coverage on the debates.
Congress Settles Down after ZOMBIE Scare
Last night Senators were shocked by the zombie outbreak. Today, it's back to business. "We pray for all those infected by the flue," said Sen Hagan (D-NC), "and I feel confident that in respect out of all Americans who have been impacted by this outbreak, we will come together in the Senate and change the world for the better."
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Press release from Mikulski: "We owe it to our children"
I just wanted to take a moment to speak on the COOL PEEPS PARTY Act.
I know there has been some concern about the PARTY portion of this bill, specifically title 2, which would outlaw restraint and seclusion in the classroom. Members of this committee have asked Is this really our place? Is this an issue for the states? Should we really be enacting this kind of legislation?
Last year, eight-year-old Isabel Loeffler, who has autism, was held down by her teachers and confined in a storage closet where she pulled out her hair and wet her pants at her Iowa, elementary school.
In 2001, one 14-year-old in Texas, died from his teachers pressing on his chest in an effort to restrain him . There’s also Jonathan King who hung himself in a seclusion room in Georgia. There are hundreds of cases of abuse like these reported every year.
Questions should be asked of every bill we see in this committee. However, I am here to answer the question of whether or not we , and I do so with a resounding yes. Yes, this issue needs to be handled on a national level, and it needs to be handled today.
Not all 50 states have enacted clauses protecting against this kind of abuse. Some state legislatures have even failed to put it on their agenda.
I find that offensive, and I find it morally repugnant. Every student in the U.S. needs to be protected from this despicable form of abuse, regardless of the state they live in.
My esteemed colleagues, please, I urge you, do NOT let our children’s safety be the thing that you brush aside to “leave up to the states.” This is something which we need to take a national stance on, today – to establish a precedent that in the United States of America, one cannot use these methods of restraint against our children.
We owe it to our children.
I know there has been some concern about the PARTY portion of this bill, specifically title 2, which would outlaw restraint and seclusion in the classroom. Members of this committee have asked Is this really our place? Is this an issue for the states? Should we really be enacting this kind of legislation?
Last year, eight-year-old Isabel Loeffler, who has autism, was held down by her teachers and confined in a storage closet where she pulled out her hair and wet her pants at her Iowa, elementary school.
In 2001, one 14-year-old in Texas, died from his teachers pressing on his chest in an effort to restrain him . There’s also Jonathan King who hung himself in a seclusion room in Georgia. There are hundreds of cases of abuse like these reported every year.
Questions should be asked of every bill we see in this committee. However, I am here to answer the question of whether or not we , and I do so with a resounding yes. Yes, this issue needs to be handled on a national level, and it needs to be handled today.
Not all 50 states have enacted clauses protecting against this kind of abuse. Some state legislatures have even failed to put it on their agenda.
I find that offensive, and I find it morally repugnant. Every student in the U.S. needs to be protected from this despicable form of abuse, regardless of the state they live in.
My esteemed colleagues, please, I urge you, do NOT let our children’s safety be the thing that you brush aside to “leave up to the states.” This is something which we need to take a national stance on, today – to establish a precedent that in the United States of America, one cannot use these methods of restraint against our children.
We owe it to our children.
Press Release from Sen Sanders (D-VT)
Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) gave Claremont Media Coverage an exclusive copy of his impassioned remarks that he plans to deliver before the education committee tonight. His bill, the Learning Education Advancement for Pupils (LEAP) Act of 2011 will give money to states in a competitive process to invest in early child care education. This has support from both Democrats and Republicans:
Hello Fellow Senators,
Tonight, we are considering monumental legislation that will enhance early child care and education programs across the country. Currently, the consensus is that early child care is tied to issues of childhood poverty.
Our system does not provide early child care education that meets the needs of the country. According to the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, each day, over eleven million children under the age of five spend time outside the care of their parents in early learning settings that vary greatly in terms of quality. In 2008, only twelve states included pre-k as part of their state funding formula. State spending on pre-k programs varies from $1,686 per pre-k child to almost $11,000. LEAP acts to increase funding for programs that support early child care.
In addition, LEAP works to improve teacher quality. As Congress provides oversight over the bureaucracy, this legislation works to improve the amount of qualified teachers through awarding competitive grants to states. Throughout the process, there is constant oversight where data systems are used to maintain effectiveness.
LEAP will also strengthen the economy. From the 1960s to 2006, the United States fell from 1st to 18th out of twenty-four industrialized nations in high school graduation rates. If all of the students who dropped out of the class of 2007 had graduated, their combined lifetime incomes would have boosted the American economy by $329 billion. America loses $192 billion (1.6% of its GDP) in income and tax revenue with each cohort of eighteen year olds who never complete high school. The annual loss of federal and state income taxes associated with the twenty-three million U.S. high school dropouts (ages 18-67) is over $50 billion compared to what they would have paid if they had graduated. Therefore, this bill is an investment in our children's future.
It is more efficient and beneficial to invest in our children as soon as possible. The younger the age of investment in human capital, the higher the rate of the return. If society invests early enough,it can raise cognitive and socio-emotional levels and the health of disadvantaged children. Early investments promote schooling, reduce crime, foster workforce productivity, promote health, and reduce teenage pregnancy. Investing in early childhood development for disadvantaged children provides up to a 10% rate of return to society through increased personal achievement and social productivity. Districts can anticipate savings from decreased grade retention and special education placements, improved graduation rates, and greater success in college through adulthood. For example, children who graduated from Head Start are less likely to repeat a grade or need special education, and are more likely to graduate from High School than their peers who have not participated.
As members of the Education Committee, we have a responsibility to spend conservatively. For this reason, my bill does not contain an authorization of appropriations. In the midst of a national deficit, we must leave appropriations to the Appropriations Committee.
I would like to leave you with a quote by James Heckman, a professor at Princeton University"“The short-term costs are more than offset by the immediate and long- term benefits through reduction in the need for special education and remediation, better health outcomes, reduced need for social services, lower criminal justice costs and productivity among families. Effective early childhood education packages cognitive skills with character skills such as attentiveness, impulse control, persistence and teamwork. Together, cognition and character drive education, career and life success. The return on investment is based on increased school and career achievement, as well as reduced costs in remedial education, health and criminal justice expenditures."
Thank you.
Hello Fellow Senators,
Tonight, we are considering monumental legislation that will enhance early child care and education programs across the country. Currently, the consensus is that early child care is tied to issues of childhood poverty.
Our system does not provide early child care education that meets the needs of the country. According to the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, each day, over eleven million children under the age of five spend time outside the care of their parents in early learning settings that vary greatly in terms of quality. In 2008, only twelve states included pre-k as part of their state funding formula. State spending on pre-k programs varies from $1,686 per pre-k child to almost $11,000. LEAP acts to increase funding for programs that support early child care.
In addition, LEAP works to improve teacher quality. As Congress provides oversight over the bureaucracy, this legislation works to improve the amount of qualified teachers through awarding competitive grants to states. Throughout the process, there is constant oversight where data systems are used to maintain effectiveness.
LEAP will also strengthen the economy. From the 1960s to 2006, the United States fell from 1st to 18th out of twenty-four industrialized nations in high school graduation rates. If all of the students who dropped out of the class of 2007 had graduated, their combined lifetime incomes would have boosted the American economy by $329 billion. America loses $192 billion (1.6% of its GDP) in income and tax revenue with each cohort of eighteen year olds who never complete high school. The annual loss of federal and state income taxes associated with the twenty-three million U.S. high school dropouts (ages 18-67) is over $50 billion compared to what they would have paid if they had graduated. Therefore, this bill is an investment in our children's future.
It is more efficient and beneficial to invest in our children as soon as possible. The younger the age of investment in human capital, the higher the rate of the return. If society invests early enough,it can raise cognitive and socio-emotional levels and the health of disadvantaged children. Early investments promote schooling, reduce crime, foster workforce productivity, promote health, and reduce teenage pregnancy. Investing in early childhood development for disadvantaged children provides up to a 10% rate of return to society through increased personal achievement and social productivity. Districts can anticipate savings from decreased grade retention and special education placements, improved graduation rates, and greater success in college through adulthood. For example, children who graduated from Head Start are less likely to repeat a grade or need special education, and are more likely to graduate from High School than their peers who have not participated.
As members of the Education Committee, we have a responsibility to spend conservatively. For this reason, my bill does not contain an authorization of appropriations. In the midst of a national deficit, we must leave appropriations to the Appropriations Committee.
I would like to leave you with a quote by James Heckman, a professor at Princeton University"“The short-term costs are more than offset by the immediate and long- term benefits through reduction in the need for special education and remediation, better health outcomes, reduced need for social services, lower criminal justice costs and productivity among families. Effective early childhood education packages cognitive skills with character skills such as attentiveness, impulse control, persistence and teamwork. Together, cognition and character drive education, career and life success. The return on investment is based on increased school and career achievement, as well as reduced costs in remedial education, health and criminal justice expenditures."
Thank you.
Sen Franken's Face All Over America
The TWEET Act introduced by Sen Franken (D-Mn), requires schools across America to paint Sen Franken's face on lunch tables at schools. The bill also wires excess funding to Sen. Reed's offshore account.
As American citizens, we must ask ourselves, do children across america need to look at this face every afternoon?
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Bipartisan Cooperation?
During Gov Matt Mead's testimony for the 'No Child Left Behind and Flexibility and Improvements Act", Sen Bingaman (D-NM) challenged the request for more federal funds but less federal oversight. This quickly turned into an ideological debate, preventing bipartisan cooperation from taking place.
Shortly after this argument, Sen Franken (D-MN) also challenged Mead's testimony. While discussing the failing schools,he asked Gov Mead, "[Should we] take away their funding and kick them while they're down?"
Despite the flaring tempers during the hearing, both parties posed for a photo during a brief recess.
Rand Paul Addresses CARA Bill
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) discusses why he is against the CARA
Bill and believes states themselves should determine autism
research funding.
Nuke-yuh-lurr Returns To D.C.
Though President George W. Bush is no longer incorrectly pronouncing "nuclear" at the White House, another politician is continuing the tradition. While questioning Sharon Burke during tonight's Arms Committee hearing, Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) pronounced the word in the famed Bush fashion.
Speaking of fashion, for the 2nd night in a row Sen. Chambliss is the only senator to go business casual with his attire instead of a coat and tie. What would Tim Gunn think?
Charlie Sheen Testifying
Buckle your seatbelts everybody. After depleting the drug supply in Hollywood, Charlie Sheen is now conquering Capitol Hill with his unique world views. Mr. Sheen just concluded testifying before the Senate Arms Committee in favor of increased spending to support the mental health treatment of veterans. Committee Chair Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) voiced the sentiment shared by his fellow Democrats that Sheen's testimony surpassed their expectations. It is unknown whether any of the funding would go to the mental health support of Mr. Sheen himself.
Exclusive Interview with Jay Carney
The CMC news team met with White House Press Secretary Jay Carney earlier tonight to discuss the State of the Union Address and what to look for in this upcoming week:
Interview with Jay Carney
Interview with Jay Carney
Video Coverage Linked Through Youtube
Due to unforeseen technical difficulties, we are unable to upload all of the videos we took directly to the blog. The videos are on youtube and we will post the youtube links on the blog. We apologize for the inconvenience.
- CMC Press team
- CMC Press team
Monday, March 28, 2011
Senator Lieberman Caught Texting at Senate Hearing
Senator Lieberman busy texting on his phone during Senate hearing with General Casey...This does not look good for Independents (the few that exist).
Exclusive First Look at Victor Gonzales's Testimony
At the senate meeting tomorrow night, Victor Gonzales will speak to the HELP committee about advancing education policy. Senator Reed kindly provided CMC with Gonzales's prepared statement. It will be interesting to see what kind of debate this statement generates tomorrow.
REMARKS OF VICTOR GONZALES
EDUCATION POLICY ADVOCATE
AMERICA’S PROMISE ALLIANCE
Too many of our nation's high schools are performing poorly, and far too many American students are dropping out of high school. In order to ensure our nation's competitiveness in the 21st Century, it is essential that the Department of Education address the problems of "dropout factory" high schools.
As a high school student, I attended one of those “dropout factories,” Rio Grande High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I grew up in a culture of failure, in which graduation was not the norm.
Many of my classmates did not hold academic achievement as an important goal. They came from poor families, and many were from African American, Native American, and Latino families that were just struggling to make a living. In this setting, many students dropped out.
Luckily, I made it through that culture, graduated and attended college earning a degree in political science from the University of New Mexico. I now work as an education policy advocate in former Secretary of State Colin Powell’s America’s Promise Alliance, a national organization that works to curb the dropout crisis.
At America’s Promise Alliance, I have worked on policy issues that affect schools like my high school. Nearly a third of American high school students do not graduate within 4 years. Another third graduate, but are not prepared for post-secondary education or competition in the 21st century economy. A large amount of these students come from minority populations. Nearly half of these students come from high schools that graduate less than 60 percent of their students. These “dropout factory” high schools are in nearly every state and need to be targeted to fix our nation’s low graduation rates.
Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 does not provide enough funding to high schools. Although there is funding authorized under the Dropout Reduction portion of the act, only 10 percent of funding is given to high schools, while the majority of education funding is given to early and elementary education. There are effective school models that struggling high schools should try to adopt. Yet states and local education agencies need federal funding to implement these models.
Senator Bingaman and Senator Murray have proposed the CAP and GOWN Act of 2011 that should do just that. I think that this bill creates a strong and comprehensive strategy for the Department of Education to use in fighting our nation’s dropout crisis.
The bill authorizes the Secretary of Education to provide grants to states and local education agencies to implement dropout reduction efforts. The bill also provides a comprehensive strategy to increase graduation rates. It is a necessary supplement to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, which addresses dropout reduction but does not provide enough clear strategies for the Department of Education. The appropriations of the bill are already authorized by ESEA, and the amount of funding has not been changed. This means the bill would not increase the federal deficit. The funding goes to states and local education agencies and allows for flexibility to fit different high schools and communities.
The bill also creates programs to vocationally train American students for jobs in a green economy. This type of vocational training is also a way to help students gain an education that will help them compete in the 21st Century economy. Vocational training for green-collar jobs can be an effective way to educate at-risk youths and give them a chance to compete for jobs.
I think this bill should be able to garner bi-partisan support. I know that all of you are committed to helping America's children receive the best education possible so they can be competitive in the future. This piece of legislation is crucial to that end.
I look forward to your questions.
REMARKS OF VICTOR GONZALES
EDUCATION POLICY ADVOCATE
AMERICA’S PROMISE ALLIANCE
Too many of our nation's high schools are performing poorly, and far too many American students are dropping out of high school. In order to ensure our nation's competitiveness in the 21st Century, it is essential that the Department of Education address the problems of "dropout factory" high schools.
As a high school student, I attended one of those “dropout factories,” Rio Grande High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I grew up in a culture of failure, in which graduation was not the norm.
Many of my classmates did not hold academic achievement as an important goal. They came from poor families, and many were from African American, Native American, and Latino families that were just struggling to make a living. In this setting, many students dropped out.
Luckily, I made it through that culture, graduated and attended college earning a degree in political science from the University of New Mexico. I now work as an education policy advocate in former Secretary of State Colin Powell’s America’s Promise Alliance, a national organization that works to curb the dropout crisis.
At America’s Promise Alliance, I have worked on policy issues that affect schools like my high school. Nearly a third of American high school students do not graduate within 4 years. Another third graduate, but are not prepared for post-secondary education or competition in the 21st century economy. A large amount of these students come from minority populations. Nearly half of these students come from high schools that graduate less than 60 percent of their students. These “dropout factory” high schools are in nearly every state and need to be targeted to fix our nation’s low graduation rates.
Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 does not provide enough funding to high schools. Although there is funding authorized under the Dropout Reduction portion of the act, only 10 percent of funding is given to high schools, while the majority of education funding is given to early and elementary education. There are effective school models that struggling high schools should try to adopt. Yet states and local education agencies need federal funding to implement these models.
Senator Bingaman and Senator Murray have proposed the CAP and GOWN Act of 2011 that should do just that. I think that this bill creates a strong and comprehensive strategy for the Department of Education to use in fighting our nation’s dropout crisis.
The bill authorizes the Secretary of Education to provide grants to states and local education agencies to implement dropout reduction efforts. The bill also provides a comprehensive strategy to increase graduation rates. It is a necessary supplement to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, which addresses dropout reduction but does not provide enough clear strategies for the Department of Education. The appropriations of the bill are already authorized by ESEA, and the amount of funding has not been changed. This means the bill would not increase the federal deficit. The funding goes to states and local education agencies and allows for flexibility to fit different high schools and communities.
The bill also creates programs to vocationally train American students for jobs in a green economy. This type of vocational training is also a way to help students gain an education that will help them compete in the 21st Century economy. Vocational training for green-collar jobs can be an effective way to educate at-risk youths and give them a chance to compete for jobs.
I think this bill should be able to garner bi-partisan support. I know that all of you are committed to helping America's children receive the best education possible so they can be competitive in the future. This piece of legislation is crucial to that end.
I look forward to your questions.
Miracle at HELP Committee Hearing
The late Sen. Ted Kennedy returned this evening from the dead to testify for the current legislation proposed by Senate Democrats for early childhood education and youth autism research. Mr. Kennedy was very passionate in his belief, that the future of America relies upon investing in its youth now, echoing the sentiments of President Obama in his State of the Union speech earlier this evening. The HELP Committee Chairman Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) expressed his gratitude to CMC of Mr. Kennedy's first appearance on Capitol Hill since his passing. Mr. Harkin believed there must have been some form of divine intervention for this "miracle" appearance by Mr. Kennedy. Based upon Mr. Kennedy's testimony and the current wave of support through Washington after President Obama's focus on education spending in the State of the Union Address, the Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius expressed her confidence this evening at the proposed legislation being approved this week before Congress adjourns for its spring recess.
Rand Paul Against Helping Autistic Children
During the first break of this evening's HELP Committee session, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) expressed her dismay to CMC at Sen. Paul's disapproval of the current legislation to provide funding for childhood autism research. Sen. Paul claims that such legislation is "a waste of money." Sen. Murray is the author of the current bill being discussed by the committee.
Senator Kennedy's testimony
Senator Kennedy speaks to the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee about education policies.
Senator Kennedy attributes the inability of the LEAP act to pass to "B.S. Partisan Politics."
Senator Kennedy attributes the inability of the LEAP act to pass to "B.S. Partisan Politics."
State of the Union 1
President Obama introduces the State of the Union Address, received with applause from Senators.
Senator Bingaman Challenges Waiting For Superman
Senator Bingaman, in an exclusive interview with CMC press staff, challenges claims made by a well renowned documentary, Waiting for Superman. While the documentary recognizes that charter schools could help low income students graduate high school and go onto college, Sen Bingaman said, "I don't think that charter schools are the whole answer." He also shied away from taking a stance against teacher's unions, something that the documentary points to as resulting in low levels of accountability.
Sen Bingaman will introduce his CAP and GOWN Act tomorrow, where he will discuss improvements we can make to our education policy.
Sen Bingaman will introduce his CAP and GOWN Act tomorrow, where he will discuss improvements we can make to our education policy.
Press Release: CAP and GOWN Act
CAP and GOWN Act
Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) are introducing legislation to the Senate HELP Committee to help high schools struggling with high drop-out rates. It is entitled the 'Championing America's Pupils through Graduation On-Time Without Neglect Act' or the 'CAP and GOWN Act.
In a statement Senator Bingaman released to the press, Bingaman wrote:
Too many of our nation's high schools are performing poorly, and far too many American students are dropping out of high school. In order to ensure our nation's competitiveness in the 21st Century, it is essential that the Department of Education address the problems of "dropout factory" high schools.
The bill authorizes the Secretary of Education to provide grants to states and local education agencies to implement dropout reduction efforts. The bill also provides a comprehensive strategy to increase graduation rates. It is a necessary supplement to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, which addresses dropout reduction but does not provide enough clear strategies for the Department of Education.
The bill also creates programs to vocationally train American students for jobs in a green economy. Senator Murray and I both strongly believe that American students need to be prepared for competition in the future economy that will depend on green jobs.
Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) are introducing legislation to the Senate HELP Committee to help high schools struggling with high drop-out rates. It is entitled the 'Championing America's Pupils through Graduation On-Time Without Neglect Act' or the 'CAP and GOWN Act.
In a statement Senator Bingaman released to the press, Bingaman wrote:
Too many of our nation's high schools are performing poorly, and far too many American students are dropping out of high school. In order to ensure our nation's competitiveness in the 21st Century, it is essential that the Department of Education address the problems of "dropout factory" high schools.
The bill authorizes the Secretary of Education to provide grants to states and local education agencies to implement dropout reduction efforts. The bill also provides a comprehensive strategy to increase graduation rates. It is a necessary supplement to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, which addresses dropout reduction but does not provide enough clear strategies for the Department of Education.
The bill also creates programs to vocationally train American students for jobs in a green economy. Senator Murray and I both strongly believe that American students need to be prepared for competition in the future economy that will depend on green jobs.
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