Mitch Landrieu: “Absolutely. To further illustrate this point, the critics of Federal aid to education say money doesn't matter; the…”

“Absolutely. To further illustrate this point, the critics of Federal aid to education say money doesn't matter; the children can't learn, or it will not help. Studies have proven them wrong. I have tried to show in my presentation when investments are made, coupled with accountability, fantastic results are achieved. Another argument is we have spent so much money in 30 years and nothing is improving. Let me give the real facts for the record: Title I has barely kept pace with inflation. When it was created, 26 percent of our children were in poverty. Senator Johnson said: This is a shame. The Federal Government has a special role to play. These children don't live in communities with Fortune 500 companies. They don't live in wonderful homes with paved streets and running water and parks in which to play. There are districts, schools, places in America, rural and urban, where schools are having a hard time fixing the roof and turning the water on, let alone getting computers and learning. President Johnson said: let's step up to the plate. We put up some money. It was not enough then, and it is not enough now. To fault the children for not learning or the teachers--because they cannot teach 35 children in their class, or they cannot teach if there is a rainstorm because they have to move to another class, and we wonder why they lose a few hours of instruction--is beyond comprehension. It has barely kept pace with inflation. It has been a 2.9-percent increase.…”