Political Quotes

“I want to thank Chairman Kline and Ranking Member Miller for bringing this legislation to the floor, as it is so important when you talk about the things that we need to do to help give our children better opportunities. Mr. Chairman, the charter school movement has literally transformed the public education system in New Orleans. If you look at what was happening in the city of New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina, it was the most failed and corrupt public school system in the country. After Hurricane Katrina--I was in the legislature at the time--many of my colleagues came together, and we passed a charter system that empowered communities to get involved in the education of their children. What we saw was revolutionary. What we saw were parents finally having options and choices to send their kids to schools that were competing for those children, schools that were actually providing better opportunities. Before Hurricane Katrina, 75 percent of the students in New Orleans' public schools were attending failing schools, schools that were giving them no opportunity and no hope for their future. What has happened since with this revolution of the charter school movement in New Orleans? What we have seen is that, now, over 91 percent of the public school students in New Orleans attend charter schools. What does that really mean for quality? That is ultimately what really matters. What kind of education are these children now being able to get?…”