Fort Collins, CO – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet visited a Fort Collins elementary school today, continuing a series of education events that will include school and classroom visits and roundtable discussion with teachers, principals, parents and superintendents in Colorado and across the country to hear local ideas on how to improve public schools and prepare all kids to compete in the 21st century economy.
“As the president signaled in his State of the Union address this week, education will play a key role in moving our economy and our country forward,” Bennet said. “To ensure that our kids are prepared for college and to be leaders in the 21st century economy, our schools and school districts need the flexibility to innovate and make decisions they believe are best. This is where the real work of improving public education will get done, listening to teachers, students, principals and parents and ensuring that well intended policies don’t create barriers to success.”
Bennet stopped by Harris Bilingual Immersion School, where an even mix of native English speakers and native Spanish speakers participate in a successful dual language program with the goal that all students become proficient in English and in Spanish. At Harris, Bennet stopped by classrooms and talked with students and teachers. He also held a roundtable discussion with teachers and administrators to hear their ideas on improving public education and how to fix No Child Left Behind to better address the needs of those who work closest to students. Bennet plans to use the events to inform conversations about how best to improve public education and to build consensus for reforms that will help revitalize our schools and prepare kids for success.
The visits are modeled after the approach Bennet took as superintendent of Denver Public Schools, where he scheduled daily meetings with teachers and principals, and members of the community—conversations that helped build consensus and support for the positive reforms he implemented at the district. Bennet believes that the best ideas come from outside of Washington and wants to bring the voices, ideas and aspirations of teachers, principals, parents and students to the U.S. Senate.