Thank you for the opportunity to testify on H.R. 1, the No Child Left Behind bill. The President has made this legislation a priority because Americans are concerned about the quality of their children s education. They are also troubled about the decline in our nation s values and its effect on our children.
Polls consistently reveal that virtue and ethics are issues of top concern.
Parents should be the primary developers of character but educators play an increasingly important role. Unfortunately, too many of our children are bombarded daily by negative influences. Society pays the price when we mock values. To reap the rewards of a virtuous society, we must sow the seeds of character when we educate children. Communities across the nation recognize that character education is an integral part of a well-rounded curriculum.