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July 30, 2005
Tim Kaine's commitment to public education should make us all proud
Education always ranks among the top concerns of American voters, whether in national campaigns or statewide and local elections here in Virginia. For good reason, too. Most of us have children in public schools or know someone who does. It's more important than ever - in a complicated new world with something called a "global economy" - that our kids be prepared for an increasingly competitive job market. Education is the key to that. We know it, and so does Tim Kaine. His commitment to education goes beyond the usual political rhetoric. It's a too-little noticed aspect of his campaign that we need to push more agressively. (By Rick Howell)
During his tenure as Mayor of Richmond, Tim Kaine frequently visited public schools. Support for and encouragement of public education has been a consistent thread of his career. He has three children of his own in public schools, and, like any good parent, has always taken a hands-on interest in their schools.
He has committed himself to visit each of Virginia's 134 public school systems during this campaign for governor. Cynics would say that this is a mere public relations stunt designed for good publicity and cheap photo ops. If it is, it's got to be costing him time that he would otherwise use campaigning. Already - according to a recent "podcast" interview with the Roanoke Times' Dwayne Yancey - Kaine has been to 118 of those school systems. To listen to him talk about some of the things he's seen during those trips is to know that this candidate is not playing political games. He truly cares about public education in Virginia.
The fact is that while this man is running for governor, he's taking time to go into our schools, see what's happening, and judge what works and what doesn't work. He talks to teachers, parents, administrators, guidance counselors and others who work every day in our public schools to carry out Thomas Jefferson's dream of a broad-based education for all.
Look at what's been accomplished during Kaine's tenure with the Mark Warner administration. Budget reform in 2004 brought 1.5 billion new dollars to public schools. Today, Tim Kaine stands up for raising teacher salaries to the national average, and then going beyond that. He supports the basic goal of standards of learning, but doesn't want our children's education to be merely a series of tests.
Yes, even Republican candidates will say that they want education "fully funded," whether they really do or not. But Tim Kaine is putting in the extra effort that's a real sign of a true commitment. This is one of the most important reasons that he must be the next governor of Virginia. Let's do more to promote this aspect of his campaign. Parents are watching and listening to what these candidates do and say about their children's education. Tim Kaine's obvious commitment could make a real difference in November.
(Rick Howell is chairman of the Amherst County Democratic Committee. He can be reached at NewCenHowell@aol.com.)
Posted by rickhowell at July 30, 2005 05:05 PM
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