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Forum 2007: "Do Americans Care if Politicians Care About Public Education?"
March 26, 2007
Gallup Organization, Washington, D.C.
Comments
“I believe, given the fact that many issues will be debated, discussed, and fought over during the coming election cycle in a very partisan way, that we must find some way to work on behalf of public education in a genuinely bipartisan fashion. Our public education system is crucial to our democracy, a democracy that is still admired by many around the world. And it does not matter a bit if our children have Democratic parents or Republican parents. What matters is that we educate all of our children to the highest standard possible, using the best qualified teachers we can find, and in school buildings that are safe and suitable for learning.”
- The Honorable Richard W. Riley, former U.S. Secretary of Education and former Governor of South Carolina
“I would like to thank Wendy Puriefoy and PEN for sponsoring today’s forum and recognizing that public involvement in improving public education is mandatory… I know all too well that should we allow our public schools to decline into a state that discredits our democracy, we could be all too vulnerable to a ‘terrorism’ of a different type -- the terrorism of ignorance. The job of a candidate is to educate the public, not just to respond to concerns. If we fail as a nation on education, we will become a second-class nation. Those who think you can be ignorant and free are simply incorrect.”
- The Honorable Thomas H. Kean, former co-chair, National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States and former Governor of New Jersey
“Today we have a daunting, but achievable challenge before us -- to find new leaders and new strategies for building the public will necessary to align the strengths of our great nation behind the needs of underserved public schools. We will not have a system of public education that fully develops all the potential of our children unless every citizen is involved and every citizen believes that advocating and voting for quality public education is their personal responsibility.”
- Connie Rath, vice chair and dean of leadership, The Gallup Organization
“Quality public education is the brick and mortar of our society. It is the foundation of the well-being of every American and of America’s prosperity, security, and promising future. Regardless of your political affiliation, no American is left untouched by what is at stake in the upcoming elections. We thank you for being here today and for your understanding that public schools shape shared civic values, unite Americans from different backgrounds, and provide an engine for opportunity and a balance wheel for democracy. Schools matter to everyone and every community. Our kids can’t vote. They can’t speak out for what they need. We are their vote and their voice.”
- Wendy D. Puriefoy, president and CEO, Public Education Network
“Education is a latent, not a manifest concern for voters. They care about it deeply but only after we remind them of its importance.”
- Frank Newport, editor-in-chief, The Gallup Poll
“Education is both a public aspiration and a widely shared civic value.”
- Celinda Lake, president, Lake Research Partners
“The biggest advantage that public schools enjoy is the public perception that schools have improved, not that they have failed. If we can create public competency on the issue, we can create public interest.”
- Ed Goas, president and CEO, The Tarrance Group
“Bringing more attention to the role that arts and music play in education makes a strong connection to creativity and innovation, skills needed in our economy and talents valued by parents and teachers…We need to create a sense of personal stake in school improvement. This is one of the building blocks of civic engagement…A sure way for candidates to get the attention of journalists is to say something provocative or unusual. Most often they treat education as platitude-land.”
- Jonathan Alter, senior editor, Newsweek and contributing correspondent, NBC News
“If we can get the public involved in education on moral grounds, we can make some headway.”
- Jay Mathews, education columnist, Washington Post
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