ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues

I have been an advocate for Early Childhood Education for 30 years and this President is NOT an advocate of Early Childhood Education nor any creative educational experiences at any level!!!

Verbage is very nice, but what has he done to further early childhood educational funding? BKKVZ

Only 3 days after posting that "The quality of life of American children has been stalled since 2002, according to the Foundation for Child Development 2008 Child Well-Being Index, an annual comprehensive measure of how children are faring in the United States," a self-serving quote from the President presiding (with other decision-makers) over this decline -- and through cutbacks and the education regimentation and focus on testing instead of learning which is part of the No Child Left Behind Act -- a part of the cause that decline, about the value of children and education indicates that someone who cited the quote is in a severe need to review the lessons learned during childhood about how to read and how to think.

It is a grave disservice to teachers as well as students to cite without comment about the hypocrisy and irony of the quote a statement about the value of children and education by the very President who has been instrumental in creating the cutbacks in education and shift of budget dollars from education to the military.

The Senate and House passed the Higher Ed Act (HB 4137) which includes Early Childhood Educator Provisions for loan forgiveness, compensation iniatives, and grants to states for professional development systems. Do you think President Bush will sign it?

Words are empty without action to follow up. Early Childhood programs for Native Americans got the shaft as soon as Bush became president.

Hillary Clinton advocates for children in her book, "It Takes a Village." Her work with children is proof that she believes in what she says. It is too bad that she can't be our president.

I find it fascinating that instead of either responding to or ignoring the comments by President Bush, most commenters are simply listing their problems with the current administration. Nowhere in the Presidents statement (or at least that part which was excerpted) was self-congratulatory, nor was there a policy prescription offered. Government money is not the end all and be all to showing that one cares. As a conservative in Early Childhood Care, I always have a suspicious eye towards politicians who promise us money, that money ALWAYS comes with strings attached. I find it interesting, as well, that NCLB is soley attributed to President Bush, as the bill was first pushed as a Bush Kennedy Education Bill. There are certainly problems with the law, and I'm not a huge fan of it myself, but it was at least an honest attempt to solve some of the problems plaguing our Elementary Education system, and flawed though it may be, it was at least an attempt to solve a problem (which is more than we've seen from previous presidents of both major parties.)

I wish he'd put our money where his mouth is.

"Blah, blah, blah!"

This made me think how common the view of children as 'a gift to adults' to have a role in the 'future world as adults' and the job of teachers, parents, child care providers etc. is to prepare them for being what we (as adults) want them to become.
I have a different view of children and know there are many others who share my view of acknowledging children's 'here and now' existence - their childhood is happening now - they will make meaning in their 'future' by the experiences they have now. Especially the social-emotional relationships they have as infants. This is their right as citizens of our country - citizens of the world - not just as 'future adults'.
I hope this idea can come to life with continued dialogue and discussion.

I think I prefer to leave this spot as empty as his words...King George as he perceives himself to be as well as the gov'ner of my fair state California, can't possibly get any sleep at night...but then we all know it is about money and children and our elderly don't bring any in...interesting though since we all started out as children and will more than likely become elderly at some point...it is almost a physician heal thyself kind of thing...

I would like to add a quote from Laura Bush...it comes from a 2004 paper on Serving Preschool Children under Title I
"The years between birth and age five are the foundation upon which successful lives are built" I know that in my county alone there are at least 7000 being left behind...please, please find out where our presidential nominees stand on early childhood education...I have only heard one speak of it so far...it is the only chance for change there is...don't our children deserve more.

Sorry to sound pessimistic, but I think George Bush has good speach writers.

I had an immediate visceral reaction to these words. Bush's words are empty. They have not been supported by anything except NCLB, which is destroying education.

Words are easy to say - actions speak volumes and during this administration the actions do not support the words!! It is hard for me to accept this glowing value on our youngest and most prescious citizens!! Sadly this administration has been absent when it comes to support of children.

To quote George Bush on educational subjects and particularly early childhood education is a complete disregard to our intelligence. Bush has destroyed the opportunity for anyone to have a better life and/or an affordable education.
I do not want anything to do with your publication and can only hope that any one with half a brain will see through this garbage!
Our only chance in life for our children is to rid our country of this terrible administration in our country's history. We have to look forward to a brighter day when every child will have a chance to be who she/he is meant to be. War leaves every child behind!

Amazing that you would provide this quote. It is very nice that Mr. Bush made a nice statement to child care providers, but he has done little to benefit young children and much to cut funding to programs for them in the past 7 years. You failed to note that Barak Obama has consistently addressed the importance of early care and education programs - even b efore he was a major candidate. He continues to address this issue in his campaign, including in his national interview on Meet the Press just two days ago. Let's give credit where it is due!

I wonder who wrote that for him.

Barack Obama has his objectives for early childhood education on his site under issues.
I can find nothing under John McCain's.

While the words are very nice from President Bush I would have to note that for the length of his terms that is all that they have been. I have seen no follow through action in terms of regulations or funding to indicate sincerity of these words.

Too bad he has done nothing positive for children and families! His lip service leaves me cold.

Why would any of his comments be interesting on any level? Besides the fact that he lied his way through eight years of his administration, what else would he say to a conference on child care for child care workers? In effect, everything his administration has done has worked to the detriment of children and families, from No Child Left Behind, to the lack of affordable health care to the war in Iraq. The war has not only cost billions of dollars that could have gone to benefit families, but it has also destroyed the lives of many soldiers and their families at home. How about the refusal to deal with global warming and the trillion dollar deficit - both which will be bequeathed to our children!

Nothing "interesting" here.

Good lip service comment. He certainly didn't put those thoughts into action. In fact in Indian Education, Early Childhood got the shaft.
Hillary Clinton wrote "It takes a village" and her work with children proved she meant it.avwb

Good lip service comment. He certainly didn't put those thoughts into action. In fact in Indian Education, Early Childhood got the shaft.
Hillary Clinton wrote "It takes a village" and her work with children proved she meant it.avwb

Then why do we have to fight tooth and nail to get funding for programs to benefit children and families? It's funny how politicians seem to forget that if it weren't for the TEACHERS in their political science, law or economic classes (among other courses) they wouldn't be in the position they are in.