We should capitalize on these good times to improve our public schools. The first thing we must do is take politics out of the process. I was extremely grateful we were able to work on education issues during the 1999 legislative session without divides between Democrats and Republicans, males and females, blacks and whites, urban legislators and rural legislators. We had a remarkable session because we never divided along artificial lines with legislators who were afraid someone else might get more credit. We must do whatever it takes to maintain that attitude in the 2001 legislative session.
Education reform is bigger than any election.
Even if we do this right, the results will not be evident during our tenures in public office. The seeds we plant now won't be harvested until long after term limits have sent all of us home. We must worry not just about the next school year but also about the next decade. It will be at least 18 years before the full potential of a child born today is evident. For the child now in kindergarten, it will be at least 13 years.