Published on Friday, January 7, 2005 by USA Today
White House Paid Commentator to Promote Law
by Greg Toppo
Seeking to build support among black families for its education reform law, the Bush administration paid a prominent black pundit $240,000 to promote the law on his nationally syndicated television show and to urge other black journalists to do the same.
The campaign, part of an effort to promote No Child Left Behind (NCLB), required commentator Armstrong Williams "to regularly comment on NCLB during the course of his broadcasts," and to interview Education Secretary Rod Paige for TV and radio spots that aired during the show in 2004.
Williams said Thursday he understands that critics could find the arrangement unethical, but "I wanted to do it because it's something I believe in."
The top Democrat on the House Education Committee, Rep. George Miller of California, called the contract "a very questionable use of taxpayers' money" that is "probably illegal." He said he will ask his Republican counterpart to join him in requesting an investigation.
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http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0107-01.htm
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'No Child Left Behind' Act/ESEA
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), renamed "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) in 2001, established laudable goals -- high standards, accountability for all, and the belief that all children can learn, regardless of their background or ability.
Unfortunately, the law is seriously flawed and underfunded. But the importance of NCLB's goals demands that we work to "fix and fund" the law. NEA is supporting that commitment through public awareness, legislative lobbying, and member empowerment -- working for things children need to be successful. (Read more)
News and Developments
NCLB Researcher Says 'Fail Now or Fail Later'
A study predicts that under current federal regulations most Great Lakes region schools will be labeled "failing" by 2014 under the No Child Left Behind law's current Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements.
"It's fail now or fail later," said Teri Moblo, Director of the Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice. "Under the current system, schools are destined to be labeled as failing and there is no way around it. The question isn't will schools fail, it's when will they fail.
Read Whole Story
http://www.nea.org/esea/index.html
From CP
Full Version: White House Paid Commentator to Promote Law
Buying of News by Bush's Aides Is Ruled Illegal
Link to Article
Interesting, indeed.....
Link to Article
QUOTE
WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 - Federal auditors said on Friday that the Bush administration violated the law by buying favorable news coverage of President Bush's education policies, by making payments to the conservative commentator Armstrong Williams and by hiring a public relations company to analyze media perceptions of the Republican Party.
-snip-
The office said Mr. Williams's work for the government resulted from a written proposal that he submitted to the Education Department in March 2003. The department directed Ketchum to use Mr. Williams as a regular commentator on Mr. Bush's education policies. Ketchum had a federal contract to help publicize those policies, signed by Mr. Bush in 2002.
-snip-
The office said Mr. Williams's work for the government resulted from a written proposal that he submitted to the Education Department in March 2003. The department directed Ketchum to use Mr. Williams as a regular commentator on Mr. Bush's education policies. Ketchum had a federal contract to help publicize those policies, signed by Mr. Bush in 2002.
Interesting, indeed.....
QUOTE(RightVote @ Oct 1 2005, 07:04 PM)
Buying of News by Bush's Aides Is Ruled Illegal
Link to Article
Interesting, indeed.....
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Link to Article
Interesting, indeed.....
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THANK YOU RightVote
CP
Yep--about $39K could have fed a few school children for Head Start. 
QUOTE(Benny @ Oct 2 2005, 05:30 PM)
Yep--about $39K could have fed a few school children for Head Start.
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YES!! YOU ARE RIGHT Benny
CP
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