President Bush Meets with Parochial Education Leaders and Parents (WhiteHouse meeting, wtf?)

[uppityperson]

Front page, top and center, of WhiteHouse webpage today is this goody. I have friends who attended Catholic schools, some were good, some were not so good. Having the choice is fine with me. Tell me I am just sensitive about having this be top on WhiteHouse webpage please. Tell me that my "separation of church and state" meter isn't ringing. Am I just sensitive? Thanks.


President George W. Bush meets with parochial educational leaders and parents Friday, April 13, 2007, in the Roosevelt Room. "We had the privilege of talking to parents whose lives have been positively affected by our Catholic school system. One of the great assets in the United States is the Catholic schools, which oftentimes educate the so-called hard to educate -- and they do so in such a spectacular way," said President Bush. White House photo by Shealah Craighead

Secretary Spellings and I have just had the privilege of talking to some of our country's leading educational entrepreneurs. We had the privilege of talking to parents whose lives have been positively affected by our Catholic school system. One of the great assets in the United States is the Catholic schools, which oftentimes educate the so-called hard to educate -- and they do so in such a spectacular way.

We've got such a program like that here in Washington, D.C. It's been a very successful program, and Congress needs to make sure it gets fully funded. If any congressman doubts the utility of a program, all they've got to do is speak to Wendy Cunningham, whose daughter takes advantage of this special funding for people, that enables her to say "My school isn't meeting the needs, therefore I'd like to make another choice." A parental choice is a very important part of educational excellence. And one way to make sure that that's the case is not only to fully fund the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship, but to provide these kinds of scholarships for school systems outside of Washington.

For example, we just heard from Margaret Dames who has got a marvelous school program in Bridgeport, Connecticut. And it seems like it makes sense to me for a parent in Bridgeport to be able to have the same kind of opportunity that a parent here in Washington, D.C. has. Congress needs to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act, as well. We want all schools to be excellent. We want every school, public or parochial, to meet expectations and to give our children the skill sets necessary to realize the great promise of the country.

One thing is for certain, if you're interested in educational excellence, you can look at the Catholic schools in the United States of America, because they provide it -- and for that, this country is very grateful.

Thank you all for coming, appreciate your time.

[Demeter]

1. Grasping at Straws, Dubya?

The Catholic Church is a mighty flimsy reed--it won't pull you out of this swamp, that's for sure. And even Tom Monaghan hasn't enough of the green stuff to pay your shot.

[uppityperson]

2. Is he sucking up to them or is it this? Am I too sensitive @ having church/state stuff mixed?

NCLB needs to be continued because those in private Catholic schools get the best education? And don't go public, go to private schools because they are better?

Am I too sensitive, ready to be offended at the slightest offense?

[Demeter]

3. Been to both public and Catholic

back when education meant something--and Catholic wasn't better. Doubt that the inherent anti-intellectualism of faith-based education has abated.

[Ilsa]

4. Finish funding Catholic Schools but not IDEA? Where's my lawyer?

"Catholic schools, which oftentimes educate the so-called hard to educate..."

The Catholic Schools here won't take any "problem" students, behaviorally or academically. No special needs classes.

The parachial schools can pay their own way, IMO, instead of diverting money away from strained public school systems.

[supernova]

5. True of most private schools

which is the primary reason their test scores are better than public schools in the same community. These schools pick and choose which students they want.

"The Catholic Schools here won't take any "problem" students, behaviorally or academically. No special needs classes. "