Mike Huckabee will Speak at NEA

From Campaign e-mail-

Mike Huckabee to Address the National Education Association

in Philadelphia on Thursday, July 5 at 1:45 p.m.

Little Rock, AR – Former Ark. Governor Mike Huckabee, a Republican, will outline his vision for the future of America’s public schools at the National Education Association (NEA)’s Representative Assembly in Philadelphia on Thursday, July 5 at 1:45 p.m. ET. The event is open to the press. The NEA is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2 million teachers, higher education faculty, educational support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers. More than 9,000 school employees will attend the assembly, which is one of the largest democratic decision-making bodies in the world. Huckabee, who served as governor of Arkansas from 1996-2007, is recognized as a national leader. A past chairman of the bipartisan National Governors’ Association (NGA) and chairman of the Education Commission of the States, he has been honored by several renowned publications and organizations for his numerous accomplishments. Governing Magazine named him as one of its 2005 ‘Public Officials of the Year.’ Time Magazine called him “one of the five best governors” in America. In 2007, he received the Music for Life Award by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) for his commitment to music education. As governor, Huckabee created intensive reading and math programs for elementary and then high school students, resulting in a dramatic rise in test scores – and one of the most demanding high school curricula in the country. Other achievements included raising teacher salaries, from among the lowest in the nation to among the most competitive, and making schools more accountable by insisting on transparency in how money is spent and creating more efficiency by putting money into classroom programs, rather than administrative costs. Huckabee, who formed a 2008 presidential exploratory committee, said education reform remains a critical part of his agenda. He supports the “No Child Left Behind” law’s effort to set high national standards; however, he believes states must be allowed to develop their own benchmarks. Among other initiatives, he stresses the importance of music and the arts to prepare the nation’s youth to meet the challenges of a creative global economy. (For more information, please visit: http://www.explorehuckabee.com/.)

Blogger's Call Part 1

This morning I participated in another Blogger's Conference Call with Mike Huckabee and his guest was Senator Bob Kleg of New Hampshire. Mike Huckabee is thrilled to have him on his team. I am rather tired, just got home from work a few hours ago. So I will be writing this in parts.

As I have stated I didn't get to watch the debate or record it, I am still kicking myself over this. I was able to pick up on what was being said. He wished that there were more questions about issues that the American folk talk about around the dinner table, like education, economy and healthe care. He was grateful that bloggers talk about these issues and get the word out to the viewing public.

One blogger asked Mike a question about No Child Left Behind Innitiative. His answer was that education should be primarily left up to the states. Although he still feels that The No Child Left Behind Innitiative did bring up the school standards in the states. He feels that testing is vital in finding out how well the kids are learning. He said "It's like going to a ball game and there's no scoreboard." He compared turning the numbers on a scoreboard like seeing the test results. While Governor of Arkansas more got done in five years than all that was done in the past fifty years in Arkansas schools. Teacher's pay and standards became more competitive. He said that too many kids are putting their heads on their desks and taking the most expensive naps because they are bored. That is why he is so passionate about music and arts. Music and arts help kids to learn with their right and left brains. When kids learn with both sides of their brains their test scores go up in math and science. It will also enhance them with team work and leadership skills, which is essential.

He also believes that education should be focused on in the campaigns and it should be on the minds of all the candidates. While I don't have kids, as an American voter and taxpayer, I think focusing on education is important. These kids are the future of America. I don't want kids taking naps on my tax dollars. If these kids don't get a good education they will be on government assistance after they graduate. Thus, after I pay for their naps I pay for their food and nessicities. So I am glad he is focusing on education.

Well yawl, I am tired and need to sleep, so I shall go now. I will blog more later.