Johnson on education reform

Shamelessly lifted from Andrew Mackie's column:

HICKORY, NC: Daniel Johnson, a candidate for Congress in North Carolina’s 10th District, will participate in “Read Across America Day” by reading to schoolchildren on Monday, March 3 at 9:00am at Sweetwater Elementary School in Hickory.

“As the son of a teacher and a graduate of the Hickory public schools, I understand the crucial role public education plays in our communities,” Johnson said. “’Read Across America’ is an innovative, creative way to invite community leaders to become involved in our public schools.”

In Congress, Johnson pledges to be an advocate for education. Johnson will work with Republicans and Democrats to reform “No Child Left Behind” so that the law contains the adequate funding and useful standards that struggling schools need to improve. Johnson contends that teachers need to receive compensation worthy of their honorable profession, and that more young people need to be recruited, trained, and encouraged to teach.

“Math and science must be a major focus in our schools,” said Johnson. “We must ensure that North Carolina’s young people enter the job market ready to compete in the global economy.”

Johnson will promote partnerships between our public schools and our business community to find practical solutions that give children every advantage. And Johnson will fight to make vocational school, community college, and four-year colleges affordable and accessible for every student that qualifies.

Johnson will be reading to “Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?” by Dr. Seuss to Mrs. Rachel Graham’s 5th grade class. Founded eleven years ago, the National Education Association’s “Read Across America Day” has grown into a nationwide literacy initiative that involves 45 million people each year.