On most issues, we disagree strongly with Rev. Sharpton and the Obama Administration. But we believe when you can find common ground, it's important to work together to achieve the common goal--especially when it's something as important as our children's future.
To his credit, President Obama supports unlimited charter schools. On this subject, and in other ways that we can work together to strengthen education in our country, we look forward to working with the President.
While we would go further than the President by supporting vouchers, Obama's support of charter schools is noteworthy because of the strong opposition from many in his party.
At its core, this tour is about our children and their future. If we want to remain the safest, freest and most prosperous nation in the world, our children and grandchildren must have access to schools where they can learn to their fullest potential. And our schools must be accountable for results and be focused solely on learning and achievement.
As the tour progresses, we will regularly update you on what we learn, what solutions we propose, and how you can get involved.
Please sign up here to receive behind the scene updates from the tour.
UPDATE: Newt was also on Fox and Friends this morning talking about charter schools and education reform.
I really believe there are two ways to 'fix' our education problem in America. Get the Federal govenment out of it and bring God back into the schools. Anyone remember how it used to be before th 1960's? Kids had respect for their teachers. I go to Fairfax Baptist Temple church and there is a K-12 school there. You should see how the teenagers are. They are taught the Bible and taught sound biblical doctrine and these kids are amazing in that they show respect for their teachers and as well as adults. They are disciplined unlike the kids in public schools.
Biological evolution was a theory, which it still is and not a fact as it's being taught these days in the public schools. Kids are being taught that homosexuality is good. This is all very wrong. These few things among many others need to change.
No, No, No.... we have Charter schools in many states. My state has hundreds of them. They are STILL PROHIBITED from using the word "God" and all manner of other restrictions. Under any interpretation of the law, they still fall under the same guidelines as a public school. They are public schools for all intents and purposes.
Vouchers are what Americans want. I taught for 10 years in a public school. They are absolute bastions of liberalism that have grown enboldened by the agendas that most parents don't want their children exposed to. Politics run rampant in them.
Please do not support what, is still, a public school with the same difficulties as any other public school.
Support a parent's right to educate their children in an environment that more closely matches their own views.
Don't even get me started on the NEA. They are the definition of liberalism.
For the past 40 years, the school system has been as archaic as they come. Now we speak as if charter schools are the fix all. When our politicians get involved, they screw things up even worse. Instead of one bad system that we keep throwing good money at, now we will have to screwed up systems that we can have a chance to throw more money at. I don't know about you viewers, but if I could have half of all taxes I have paid in from the local level to the federal government, I could retire now and live very comfortably.
Political Republicans and Democrats do not have a clue how to fix anything. They create laws that contain legalese that even legal scholars complain that they do. If the bill is written in plain English, then no doubt we will have loopholes that pad the pockets of the rich, special interest groups and politicians by way of campaign donations. The public gets screwed every time a politician opens their mouth.
I've had. Just like everything else, they miss it entirely when it comes to education. I have pondered this idea about education, and am preparing a short documentary that I hope gets published in the local newspapers for a solid fix. One that will reduce teenage pregnancy, drop out, crime and actually provide students what they need to know when they hit the job market. Our graduating high school seniors are basically thrown to the wolves once they leave high school. They are ill prepared, and I find it disturbing that no one in our school system recognizes it. Like our politicians, school administrators are out of touch with the people and reality.
So Newt and Rev. Al Sharpton, don't waste the peoples time with your ideas, please. There is no way in hell any of you and those on capital hill have a clue what is needed to improve our school system, let alone bring on another system (charter) on board.
I'm looking for work, and would be agreeable to work in a think tank to fix the problems associated with education and preparing students for the big world. If you are not interested, then this is surely a PR move, a photo op, and like most Americans, I think we are getting tired of it.
2010 will be to the advantage of the next Ross Perot, not a democrat or republican.
I agree with some of the sentiments of others who have left comments.
Generally the government makes hash out of evrything it touches. I have no empirical evidence to offer here, only common sense observation.
For several decades the role of the feds has increased in local k-12 public education system. We could all agree that for the most part what we have now is a degraded and decaying public education system. So, it begs the question, why would a sane person believe more federal government involvement would improve the system. But who knows, maybe this time they will find the end of the rainbow.
Additionally, strange bedfellows indeed. A former politician, a man who is part of the current administration and a man of questionable character and dubious intentions.
The results will be interesting. But until I understand more about this I'll hold onto my cash. Good luck.
Dear Mr. Gingrich:
I think it is unwise for you to validate Al Sharpton as having a valuable perspective on what is wrong with U.S. public schools. Has he written scholarly works? Has he been a career teacher in public schools? Why is he being partnered with you?
Obama is using your credibility among moderates and/or average, taxpaying, working citizens to advance yet ANOTHER LARGE AGENDA.I think he doesn't want you working on healthcare reform.The nation is better served for you to use your time in the analysis of healthcare issues and needed reforms, and to be allowed to help Obama design a reasonable reform.
Oddly, last week and for all prior weeks, his poorly designed HR3200 was about "health CARE reform". As the public dissent grew louder and more widespread, on Monday, Obama's administration NOW calls the effort "health INSURANCE reform". Doesn't matter what you label it, what was proposed is EXTREME GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION in our personal decisions. WE've watched the failure of Congress (Dems and Repubs alike) and the Executive branch to control Wall Stree, big banks, campaign donations, open U.S. borders,terrorist attacks,etc. and WE ARE TO BELIEVE THEY CAN MANAGE A REASONABLE HEALTHCARE REFORM?
Government getting the funds from Social Security in 1965 with Pres. Johnson and his magnanimous "Great Society" is why I won't have a Social Security check when I reach 66. MORE GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN HEALTH CARE? NOT, "NO", but "H--- NO!"(Sory about the expletive.)
Thank you for your clear thinking on this issue. Parents are locked into a system that gives them few choices if they aren't independently wealthy. I'm always amazed at politicians who spew their support for our public education, but won't send their own children to them.
We need vouchers and anything less is a mini-bandaid. Charter schools ARE public schools and the sooner the populous figures that out the better. Just because Charter Schools can focus on science or the arts doesn't make them any less a public entity. It's still the devil in sheep's clothing.
This is a travesty.
I applaud the willingness of all three of you to work in a bipartisan manner on the problems of education.
However, there seems to be a premise here - that there is a role for the federal government in education.
Is anyone able to show where, with Article, Section, and clause, that this authority exists in the U. S. Constitution?
If anyone is unable to, please refer to Amendment X.
As a Christian educator, I applaud your efforts and I agree that we need to get the federal government out of education. I have never seen education as "dumbed down" as it has been since federal testing mandates took over. If you want to know what is really going on in public education, compare the knowledge base of students ten years ago and those graduating today.
Putting God back into schools is a must...the morality and future of the United States is at stake.
Mr. Gingrich should be very careful to guard against Obama attempting to co-opt him by appointing him to this "Education Commission". I find it interesting that the timing of this tour coincides with the Health Care Reform debate raging across the country at this time. Obama has thouroughly neutralized Hillary and may be trying to shuffle Newt off to the side with this Education Tour. I strongly believe that the education system in this country needs to be totally reformed, but that would have to start with the gutting of the NEA, which is unlikely to occur under the Obama administration. It is hard to have "accountability" in the sytem when teachers are protected from it by their union. Too bad my kids don't have the same kind of protections from incompetant teachers. Maybe they need a union too? And I'm not even talking about the uberliberal faculty of the "higher" institutions of "learning"(indoctrination?) in the country represented by the majority of our universities today.
I do not think you can trust The President. He will use
you as he did so many.
The need is for GOD and vouchers!
Mr. Gingrich: I think you are going to regret doing this. I'm afraid it will become really frustrating for you & you are going to find your hands tied. I feel "they" think if you get busy working on education this will keep you from helping the American people fight against all these programs that he continues trying to force down our throats. Mr. Sharpton cops an attitude over nothing sometimes especially before he even hears the facts & probably have to work with anyway. I know that most of our text books have misinformation in them now & when I heard that David Brinkley son was writing some, or one, of these books & I think he was omitting things like terriosts attacking the World Trade Center on both occassions. I believe I got that right but none the less history is being changed in the text books our children are using. I would rather see you concentrate on that rather then working for with Sharpton & for Obama. I think that is suicide. Sorry, I usually agree with most everything you say or do but I just can't do it this time. I think our country is in too much trouble from this administration & we need every good man helping us to stand guard.
Newt, I applaud your reasoning for joining this "committee". However, I echo all the comments about you watching your back. Bill Cosby would have been a much better choice for you to associate yourself with.
Dear Newt:
I am disappointed that you have decided to join Obama's Education Reform Tour. He has now succeeded in keeping one of his detractors in his camp and diverting your attention and leadership from critical problems such as the Economy, Health Care, CAP & Trade, etc., into one specific area of lesser overall importance.
I hope you and Sharpton are happy in your new relationship by abandoning those who looked to you for leadership.
The Wall Street Journal recently reported Charter schools show no difference from other public schools in 46% of the time and actually worse results in 37% of comparisons and only 17% of the time better results so what's so grand about charter schools?
I remember very well saying the Lord's prayer in elementary school before the Supreme Court removed it. I became a Christian about twenty years later. I'm befuddled by the situation today. Science isn't theistic. Naturalists don't believe in absolute values. How do you win back a culture that is decidedly atheistic?
Please remove my name and email address from your site.. I will not support you! We need Republicans who will take a stand against the president, as he is destroying our country.. "Bipartisanship is gutless!!"
What is wrong in this country concerning education is that we have lowered the bar, instead of raising the bar. We have the idea that all children should excel at the same rate or be pushed up the ladder to another grade, regardless whether they pass the grade or not. Lets face it; not all children are going to be doctors, lawyers, teachers and etc. Some are going to be people that grow up and become farmers, ranchers, electrical workers, plumbers, and the list goes on and on. In my lifetime, we saluted the flag of the United States of America and said a prayer to God. Since when have we accepted the idea of taking God out of school? He is the light and the way. God, I pray that we get you back in the clasroom as soon as possible, before we destroy
ourselves.
Coach Morris Hodgson
I, among many others, agree that a school day should be started with a prayer. This act promotes respect. Children are willing to respect and follow rules if led to do so. A principle and teachers that are willing to lead in this manner are a must for every school. Children need a schedule that is interesting and refreshing (physical education a must for everyone). Children that achieve need to be encouraged and given the opportunity for higher education no matter what their income status is. We need more doctors, scientists, and engineers.
My take on this:
Thanks for the effort Newt, but until you allow God back into our education system the Ungodly will have rule like they do now. Our jails are proof to what I have just stated.
Yes, we can fix our kids with a great education and give them a better chance in life but the heathen personality will show up sooner or later in them and then we have to deal with the Bernie Madoff's and Enron's of the world. Let's not turn a blind eye to the reality of our world.
I guess that I am the only one here who finds it amusing that the people who want to reform education say "with he" instead of "with HIM".
Brenton - ok, I didn't just LOL on that one..I actually laughed out loud...kinda like Chuck Grassley "tweeting" Arlen Specter & using "ur" instead of "your"...
Sorry Newt, I can't go with you on this venture. Anything that involves Al Sharpton is doomed to failure. Good luck and be sure to CYA.
Remember Gingrich and Pelosi teaming up on Global Warming--Gingrich is a dupe of the radicals just as McCain has been. Now Gingrich is teaming up with not one but two ultra scaming liberals on school improvement--what a joke on America. The radicals in controll of America's school system need cover for even more radical policies and Gingrich is more than happy to supply it.
The only way to improve America's school system is to get the radical leftists out. That will require the illimination of all school boards, all teacher unions, all presently used textbooks, all teachers holding teaching certificates, and all government mandates and laws imposed on the school system since 1962.
Why would Neut even sit at the same table as Al Sharpton? Neut is a leader and thinker and Al Sharpton is at best a self-righteous blow-hard who parrots the socio-fascist thinking of our self proclaimed clue less supreme leader, who was mentored into hating white Americans and defames the accomplishment of America and our Fathers to the world community at every opportunity. Neut, you are known by the company you keep and your new pals are the worst of the worse. Very Disappointed.
Mr. Gingrich,
I respect your opinion and your conservative views. I cannot believe, however, that you are giving clout to Al Sharpton by associating your good name with his. I am very disappointed in you and this will hurt your chance for a presidential run.
Education and Al Sharpton should be an oxymoron. He is nothing but trouble, rides to fame on the misery of many Americans who have been sued or humiliated unjustly by Sharpton. He is not fit or deserves to discuss/make policy on education. He is a devisive person who makes a fortune by invoking the race issue every chance he gets. To this day he has not apologized for any malicious intent towards innocent people, nor will he. He is a poor role model for any child and I do not wish to listen to anything he has to say about education. By association, I will not listen to anything you have to say on education. Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are.
I propose that the tax burden for funding public schools be carried by businesses as part of their state and local taxes and residents be relieved of the responsibility. Benefits:
1. Individual families no longer make sufficient revenue to be effective in funding the higher budgets of education. Further, not all residents have school aged children, making a levy difficult to justify.
2. Businesses which fund school systems within their area are likely to encourage those students to remain and become employees, thereby stabilizing neighborhoods.
3. Employers tend to move to places where they can draw from a larger skilled worker base. Helping to fund that base supports the community beforehand; thereby, supporting their mission.
4. Amend the business tax statutes to give credits for payments to school funds as direct credits against federal taxes rather than profit statement deductions.
5. People who want the best education for their children will move to areas around successful businesses, again tending to stabilize neighborhoods.
6. This technique will also discourage businesses from making unilateral decisions to relocate without taking into account the feelings of the community they support.
7. The program will reduce tax burden on individual families. A real net reduction of taxes, not a paper exercise supported by rhetoric.
8. Local political leaders will have a much higher level of responsibility for attracting new business to their communities. If they want that additional tax revenue, which equates to greater influence, they must insure community services (fire, police, infrastructure, roads, etc) which are attractive to businesses. Old communities will tend to modernize. New communities will plan further into the future.
9. Mayors and governors will have far greater influence on national politics because they will control the money.
10. Make the schools responsible for their performance. Make them responsible to personnel professionals, not unskilled school boards -- and no more tenure protecting incompetents. If tenure is still a good idea, make it part of promotion decisions and strip away institutional protection for poor performance. Teachers will be less inclined to accept poor behavior in the classroom and administrators will refuse to be held hostage by public opinion. Quality will be the focus, not social issues.
If we are going to be a global mercantile society, as we seem to be, then we should be supporting the fundamental infrastructure and institutions which make mercantilism effective. We need the finest industries with the best equipment, the sharpest minds and the most sophisticated R&D on the planet.
A partnership with Sharpton is a mistake! There is nothing, absolute nothing, in his background to suggest he will deal with Newt or any other person that does not support his racist agenda. Sharpton has made a career out of taking advantage of the very people he claims to represent...he is a race baiter and nothing else. Shall we forget that just as we forget that the current POTUS was mentored by a racist and sat in his church for 20 years learning the finer points of Black Liberation Theology. Sometimes the most intelligent among us can the most ignorant. Ultimately newt will regret having anything to do with Sharpton. You are a historian Newt.....remember your history.
Newt,
Can't you see that you've become a threat to this administration -- and Obama is intentionally sidelining you? Your clear, pragmatic thinking on the critical, urgent issues facing the nation (energy, healthcare, the economy) became too close for comfort and he needed to get you out of the way. So he played on your ego by offering you this tour.
It would be different if something could actually come of it, Newt. No change to education will happen without muzzling the NEA. Sir, you are desperately needed elsewhere, not at Sharpton's side! For heaven's sake what are you thinking?
If this is how American Solutions is to be run, then I need to re-think my financial support, unfortunately. Sorry Newt.
Grace - because we'll be concentrating on education does not mean that we will be sidelined on any other issues that we'll be concentrating on. In fact, it's just the opposite. We've always dealt with education issues along with the others.
We are doing this because we believe something can come of it. We believe that our education crisis is nothing less than a national security issue. If we can find common ground with anyone on the solutions that we believe are important (merit pay for teachers, charter schools, etc) we need to work together, even if we disagree on other issues.
In this situation, President Obama and Rev. Sharpton are in agreement with us on some big things (charter schools in particular), and we believe there is an opportunity for a breakthrough. That's why we're doing this.
We will continue to be engaged on all the other issues just as we have always been. I would urge you to take a look at exactly what we'll be proposing and let me know what's in there that you disagree with.
Here's the link: http://americansolutions.com/take-action/2009/08/download-our-education-reform-proposal.php
dear Newt since you are in this position with the dems.try to change the way we pay for the schools ,by collecting the taxes per household instead of property value this way everyone will pay the same and will be p.o.like the rest of us,with theese liberal dems.
Adam,
Sharpton, Duncan, and Obama agree on one thing. Let the teachers unions control the schools and what they teach. Isn't the curriculum anti-american and leftist enough already? They don't want educated people that think for themselves. No good can come from collaborating with them.
You say education is a critical problem, a national security issue. So why are you siding with the enemies of education? Sharpton on education, Pelosi on phony climate change science, what's next? Maybe Obama on socialized medicine, or Franken on stifling conservative speech. Wake up guys...PLEASE....Try watching Glenn Beck.
Adam, I can prove to you that the ten year projected deficit will be a least two to three times the CBO projections...just ask Emily. Maybe that's an issue you can go after