Awesome Ketner Rally

I went to the Ketner rally at the College of Charleston on Wednesday October 22. I was pleased to see the amount of supporters who showed up! There was a great Q&A session and Linda shined on stage! Great rally!!!! Tell everyone to vote Ketner for Congress.

NEA Backs Ketner!!

I'm proud to announce that the NEA has officially endorsed Linda Ketner!!!

My first Q&A

From: Douglas Browne. (Middle School Education Major at the College of Charleston)

Questions for Linda Ketner on education:

1. What is your stance on the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001(NCLB)?

Save what is good out of No Child Left Behind and scrap the rest. Under-funding, uneven implementation and measures have crippled No Child Left Behind. Students cannot simply be test-taking machines. Teachers cannot simply be test-giving machines. Instead, we must cultivate a life-long love for learning in our children coupled with a sense of responsibility and pride in doing well at school. So we must test, but less often and with standardization of measures and full funding.

2. What is your plan on how to ensure that all students have the same equal opportunities in school? Ex: Books, Paper, Pencils, Computers…..

• Bottom line: no child leaves the 3rd Grade without being proficient in reading. Why? Because all school work after the 3rd grade is predicated on the ability to read. Children who are not reading proficient drop behind with each subsequent school day. We must draw a line in the sand, test nationally for reading proficiency, eliminate illiteracy in South Carolina and the USA once and for all. No exceptions, no excuses.

• Eliminate the digital divide by ensuring that every South Carolina classroom has computers and up-to-date technology; and that teachers know how to use the technology.

3. What is your background/experience in or around the field of education? Have you ever worked with anyone in the State, or Federal, Department of Education?

My background as a former high school teacher, adjunct professor at the College of Charleston, business leader and management consultant has given me a unique perspective on how to get the job done. The politicians have had their chance and they have failed. I will work tirelessly to see that every child in South Carolina - and in America - regardless of race, economic status or background, has the opportunity to attend an outstanding public school with teachers who inspire.

4. Do you feel that teacher salaries are appropriate for today’s standard of living?

No. Linda’s plan is to:

• Attract, train, retain, support and reward successful teachers and support professionals. Starting salaries for teachers should be at least $40,000 across the United States. In South Carolina, our starting salary for teachers is $28,568 and we rank 35^th in the nation.
• Federally funded bonuses of $5,000 should be provided to teachers who teach in poor performing schools, and show results.

5. What do you feel about school voucher programs?

We need to make the public school a place where all are excited to attend. Oppose vouchers, private school tuition tax subsidies and other measures that drain attention, energy, and resources away from our public schools. Our job in this state and in this country is to meet the leadership challenge and do the heavy lifting required to ensure that every child has a top notch education.

This was great! I hope that I chose questions that many other teachers are asking themselves and their representatives during this election. We all feel very strongly about a variety of different issues that face our schools and our students. Please let me know or email Linda directly if there are any other issues or questions you would like answered.

I personally am sick of all the bureaucratic crap that surrounds our school system. I am beginning to see why most teachers only last about 5 years in this profession. Part time jobs have become a must for new teachers and cost of living has soared over the last few years, while salaries have not followed suit. I really hope that Linda can make a difference for us at home in SC, as well as in DC. Lets make our votes count and lets continue to make a difference in our communities everyday.

Latest news on No Child Left Inside

Last week, the House passed H.R. 3036, to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 regarding environmental education, by a yea-and-nay vote of 293 yeas to 109 nays, Roll No. 614.

Vote Passed (293-109, 31 Not Voting). This bill to improve environmental education programs passed the House on Thursday.

Rep. Henry Brown Jr. voted NO.