Connie Mack: “Today, Senator D'Amato and I are offering an amendment that would provide incentives for States to establish teacher…”

“Today, Senator D'Amato and I are offering an amendment that would provide incentives for States to establish teacher testing and merit pay programs. I have said many times in the discussion about education that our children deserve an education that is second to none. I have listened to educators from my home state of Florida who have talked with educators in other countries. The consensus is that competition among nations in the 21st century will not be based on natural resources or military power, but on knowledge. I believe that they are correct, and if our children and our grandchildren--and I am proud to state that I have three grandsons, 13, 11 and 4--if they are going to have an opportunity to compete in the 21st century, and if they are going to have an opportunity to experience the opportunities that we have had, then they have to have an education that is second to none. Good teachers are the backbone to a good education. All students deserve to be taught by well-educated, competent and qualified teachers. Teachers make all the difference in the learning process.”