Someone needs to teach Laura

Laura Bush at the National School Boards Association - March 29, 2004
64TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN ORLANDO

"All children have the ability to learn, and it's incumbent upon us to make sure that they do. No Child Left Behind is based on the premise that all children must have access to high-quality schools, regardless of their skin color, their disability or their zip code. (Applause.) Some people still don't see it that way. We've heard all the arguments, not enough money, too much testing and too rigorous standards. But behind those excuses is the belief that some children cannot learn. As a former teacher and librarian, I just don't buy that argument. I see the promise of reform in America's schools. I see children excited and ready to learn. I see teachers and principals who refuse to accept failure, and school board members who are embracing reform to make our schools the best in the world."

"All children have the ability to learn..." First of all, not all children have the ability to learn; that is a flat out lie.

"...not enough money, too much testing..." Well, yes, there is not enough money and there is too much testing. As a result, there is not enough learning.

"...I just don't buy that argument." That's true, you don't see the argument, because you're not understanding the issue. The issue is, you demand that states establish rules for public schools that thwart the learning process with excessive and rigid testing requirements and standards and simultaneously fail to provide the funding to meet those requirements and standards. You can't have it both ways, Laura.