ED in 08 Off to California for Next Debate

We are taking ED in 08 out on the road again this week with a trip to Los Angeles for the first debate with the Republican presidential candidates.

Scenes from ED in 08 Launch

Hey, I know we're late getting these pictures up from our launch last week, but they just came back from the lab. (I'm kidding. We've been swamped, and something had to give.)

It's Not About Specifics ... Yet

We are starting to get comments - and I have to tell you, it makes me excited to write something and have people add their thoughts to it. That's a big, big part of what we are trying to do with ED in 08 ... create a conversation.

But we've had a few folks suggest that we not being specific enough on our three issues. Or that we aren't saying enough about vouchers or charters or this or that.

Why involve the presidential candidates in Education?

I know some people are wondering why ED in 08 is trying to involve presidential candidates in what is traditionally a local issue.

That's a fair question.

Great Launch ... But Let's Be Clear About ED in 08

We had a really great time this afternoon in Columbia, SC, at the national launch of the ED in 08 campaign.

More than 100 folks from Hopkins Elementary School - students, teachers and parents - showed up and wore ED in 08 T-shirts. It was gratifying to see these young people, because they are what this campaign is really all about. (I'll post some pictures shortly.)

My Name is Roy Romer

My name is Roy Romer and I'm writing this blog because I'm worried—I mean really worried—that we're not preparing our students for the lives they will lead and the world they are going to live in. I'm worried about the future of my own grandchildren and every youngster in this country.

My concern is that we are not doing for our students what we ought to do, which is give them the skills for college, for jobs, and for life. I'm talking about the real world and the demands they will face after high school. And believe me, those demands are getting tougher.

States Work Together on Common Algebra Test (Indiana Editorial)

Some states are already taking the issue of standards into their own hands and creating multi-state compacts. Here's one:

South Carolina: Getting High-Quality Teachers into High-Need Schools

This story out of Charleston, S.C., illustrates one of the issues that we think needs serious thought and discussion: