Statement by Edward J. McElroy,
Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers,
on Sen. John Kerry’s Education Proposal

Washington, D.C. — Sen. John Kerry’s education proposal released today is a significant plan that recognizes that teachers deserve respect, should be well and fairly compensated, and need support from parents and communities in doing the important work of educating our nation’s children.

Sen. Kerry’s plan moves America’s education agenda forward from unfulfilled promises and empty rhetoric to a real funding commitment for the programs needed to improve student performance.

Under his proposal, Sen. Kerry is committed to fully funding the No Child Left Behind Act, which the Bush administration promised, but failed, to do.

We agree with Sen. Kerry when he says that “Teachers are at least as important to our future as doctors, lawyers, and business people, and our schools deserve the same commitment and quality.”

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