Letter from Shelley
Friends and Colleagues,
West Virginia took center stage last week as Charleston hosted the U.S. Secretary of Education for an education policy roundtable, and the White House honored Jefferson County resident and sole-surviving World War I Veteran Frank Buckles.
Secretary of Education Visits West Virginia
I had the honor of hosting Secretary Margaret Spellings as she visited Charleston on Friday to tour St. Albans High School and meet with leading members of West Virginia’s education community. In discussions with educators, administrators, and parents at the State Capitol, she continued her nationwide dialogue about how we can improve our nation’s schools.
The Secretary praised the on-going efforts of state education leaders and had kind words for the hard work of West Virginia teachers, noting that 83 percent of West Virginia schools are performing above national standards. Yet, she also stressed that more work must be done.
I believe that West Virginia students must be prepared for a 21st Century world and it is imperative that our education system reflect the challenges we face. In doing so, we must evaluate our education policies to see where they’re working and where they’re not so we can best make improvements.
Last week’s roundtable was a step in that direction and I’m thankful for the input from each of the attendees.
West Virginia Veteran Honored at White House, Pentagon
All eyes seemed to be on Jefferson County resident, Corporal Frank Buckles, last week as he was honored by President Bush, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Members of Congress and other national leaders.
As the nation’s sole-surviving World War I Veteran, Corporal Buckles was on hand to meet with President Bush and see his portrait unveiled at the Pentagon.
At the ripe age of 107, Corporal Buckles sets an example we can all follow. Without a doubt, he will always have a place in history and we can take pride in knowing that he hails from the Mountain State.
Sincerely,
Member of Congress
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Capito Hosts Education Secretary in West Virginia Visit
CHARLESTON, WV, March 7, 2008 – Rep. Capito, West Virginia First Lady Gayle Manchin, West Virginia Superintendent Steve Payne and others meet with Margaret Spellings, the U.S. Secretary of Education in an education policy roundtable at the West Virginia State Capitol.
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WASHINGTON, March 4, 2008 – Rep. Capito with West Virginia veterans during their visit to Capitol Hill.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...
Local World War I veteran gets presidential salute: Charles Town area man, 107, visits White House, Pentagon
Herald Mail
Dave McMillion
March 7, 2008
CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Frank W. Buckles might be 107, but he's still got a lot of spirit.
Military officials and others learned that Thursday when Buckles, a Jefferson County resident who is the last surviving American World War I veteran, was honored during ceremonies at the Pentagon and the White House, and met President Bush.
A photograph of Buckles was unveiled during the Pentagon ceremony, which was hosted by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Brian Maka said.
Buckles told wonderful stories, like the time he met Gen. John J. Pershing, who led the American Expeditionary Force in World War I and was regarded as a mentor by the generation of American generals in World War II, Maka said....
U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, D-W.Va., and U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., issued statements honoring Buckles for being honored in the dual ceremonies.
"West Virginians can take great pride in knowing that our state is home to Frank Buckles," Capito said. "Known for his optimism and hopefulness, he sets an example for all of us to follow and it is only fitting that he spent today being honored by the White House and the Pentagon. As our nation's sole-surviving World War I veteran, he will always have a place in history."
To read the full text of this story, click here.
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U.S. education chief visits West Virginia
Associated Press
March 7, 2008
Teachers might be frustrated and some schools aren't living up to national standards, but the country's top education official says public education is better off because of No Child Left Behind.
U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings visited St. Albans High School on Friday and stopped at the state Capitol to talk with teachers, administrators, labor union officials and business representatives.
Spellings is visiting states to promote the No Child Left Behind Act, which is before Congress for reauthorization. However, she's also listening to criticism of the sweeping program in hopes of making it better....
The tests' focus on reading and mathematics, unfortunately, has led some schools to limit the types of classes they offer, state Superintendent of Schools Steve Paine said.
"We've allowed ourselves to narrow in some cases what we're teaching to reading, language arts and mathematics," Paine said.
That, combined with the looming spectacle of working in a school labeled as failing, deals a blow to teacher morale, said Judy Hale, president of the American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia.
"We're putting a lot on our teachers and our administrators, saying 'You must make our children successful,'" agreed U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., who accompanied Spellings to St. Albans High and the Capitol.
To read the full text of this story, click here.
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