Scholastic Student Reporter
 U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige speaks at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday, August 31. (Photo: © AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta) |
Tuesday, August 31—"Whatever the size of our armed forces or economy, no nation can sustain its greatness unless it educates all of its citizens, not just some of it," said Secretary of Education Rod Paige at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday night. He said that no man understands that better than President Bush.
Paige was born in 1933 in the segregated Deep South, the son of a school librarian and a principal. Education is in his blood and drives his dreams for America's children. The force that drives his work as Secretary of Education is a fundamental belief that education is and should be a civil right, the same as the right to vote or the right to equal treatment under the law. This is a belief he shares with President Bush.
During his speech, Paige praised President Bush's commitment to high standards in education and touted the federal No Child Left Behind Act as the single most important step in educating all of America's children.
"We live in a great country, a nation of good people in pursuit of great ideals—defined by our founders and defended by citizen-soldiers, and delivered to us," Paige said. "We inherited a great nation—and so must our children."
Paige said the No Child Left Behind Act has been successful. "All across America, test scores are rising; students are learning; the achievement gap is closing; teachers and principals are beaming with pride. And President Bush also increased Pell Grant funding so 1 million more adults can afford college," he said.
He challenged voters not to underestimate our schools and teachers and above all never to underestimate our children. "Now, this election may be multiple choice, but there's only one correct choice: To go forward, not back. To choose compassion, not cynicism. To set high standards, not settle for second-best," Paige said. "To elect a true reformer with proven results—not a Johnny-Come-Lately with mere promises."
