6 years ago
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Air Force One arrived at the Fort Smith Airport Tuesday at 11:00 am and took off at 1:30 pm. And for much of his time in Arkansas, President Bush spent it praising Arkansas? leaders, teachers and Van Buren?s Butterfield Junior High School.
President Bush says the junior high exemplifies his No Child Left Behind laws. He says his program holds schools accountable while leaving the actual power in local hands. He also addressed criticism of testing students, including the assertion that children are being taught so they can pass standardized tests. Bush says standardized testing helps everyone know where students stand in their education process.
He quoted Butterfield?s English teacher, Tracy Sellers in his speech. He pointed at her in the audience saying, ?Tracy, I?m going to quote you here. I think she said it best when she said ?the No Child Left Behind makes us aware on how we can improve. It encourages us as teachers to go that extra step and every child can succeed.?? Bush had to stop talking over the applause and went on to say, ?I appreciate that attitude, I appreciate your hope, Tracy.?
After spending 45 minutes addressing the crowded gymnasium, Bush shook hands with smiling people, some grinning ear to ear as they met the President of the United States. Someone yelled out, ?Four more years!? But, Bush simply continued shaking hands, then looked up and waved.
Afterwards, we spoke with one teacher in attendance from the neighboring junior high, Coleman, who says she thought the president made great points in his talk on the No Child Left Behind program. Paige Hammond says, ?Sometimes it is difficult [to implement a new program] because it?s a little stressful to be held accountable, but it?s a good stress and I think that we owe that to our country and we owe that to our children.?
No other topics were mentioned Tuesday. This was an official visit as president, not a campaign visit.
