Margaret's Wanderlust
You want to travel the world in style, and not pay a dime for it? All you have to do is be appointed U.S. secretary of education—which, at the moment, is next to impossible, seeing as Margaret Spellings holds that post. Since landing the gig 18 months ago, she’s traveled abroad seven times, which is more than Rod Paige did during his four years as secretary. Among other countries, the Spellings World Tour has stopped in Egypt, Italy, Japan, and Afghanistan, and it’ll touch down in Greece and Spain this month. The ed department has shelled out close to $37,000 thus far for Spellings’ travel, which, according to one critic, amounts to “expensive public relations events to make the [agency] look good.” But supporters argue that a globally competitive world necessitates healthy international relations. Christopher Cross, who served as an assistant ed secretary under George Bush Sr., says of Spellings, “If she were sitting in her office and not doing any of these things, I would be even more concerned."
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Why is she not traveling in the United States? Is she Secretary of World Education? She should be spending her time learning about, and visiting SCHOOLS in, AMERICA, how novel would that be? Basically the Federal Government in our country was not given the responsibility of Education,in the Constitution, thus it should be handled by the states. This country could save a bundle of cash by closing the department and giving her and her staff their walking papers.
Posted by: Patricia | June 22, 2006 7:59 AM
If the USA wants to remain competative or at a minimum have a clue then we must look globally. We keep hearing complaints about how our science and math education is failing our students and our country. Well knowing what the rest of the world does well and learning from it are examples of humility, respect, and common sense - not necessarily wonderlust and pride. We must examine the big picture and keep an open mind if we are to grow.
Kimberly Novak - Science Instructor in the US and Internationally in both public and private schools for 10 years.
Posted by: Kimberly Novak | June 22, 2006 10:13 AM
I think I had taught for over 15 years before I earned $37,000 a year.
Posted by: jhooks | July 19, 2006 12:53 PM