Statement by Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers, On the Bush Administration's Announcement of New Title I Regulations

WASHINGTON – “The regulations announced today, just a week before the nation’s voters choose a new president, demonstrate that the Bush administration continues to put the interests of conservative ideologues over those of students and their families.

These regulations do nothing to address the well-documented, harmful effects of the current law: excessively focusing on testing and test preparation; squeezing important subjects from the curriculum, such as science, social studies and the arts; labeling schools “failures” even when students are making good progress; and punishing—instead of helping—schools that are struggling. The regulations also create more ways for schools to fail, and they promote supplemental services—an expensive, unproven intervention. Ultimately, despite the administration’s spin, the regulations do nothing to help more students graduate from high school or to solve any challenge facing today’s schools and students.

 One good thing about the Bush administration’s decision to issue these regulations shortly before the election is that it reveals to any remaining undecided voters the cynical nature of the administration’s world view. As if more evidence was needed, it is clearer than ever that this nation needs to elect Barack Obama and others who will put the interests of students first.”

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