Schlagle Staff and Students Like Obama
Barack Obama is one of only seven African-American to ever run for presidential nomination. Obama, a candidate from the Democratic side, thinks that we should all take a “stand for change” in America.
The race between the two Democratic presidential candidates – Obama and Hillary Clinton – has been a close one. As of February 21, 2008, with 819 delegates still at stake, Obama had 1,351 delegate votes, while Clinton had 1,262 delegate votes. To insure the Democratic nomination for President a nominee needs 2,025 delegates. After Super Tuesday came to an end, the race between the two candidates was close to a draw.
Nelson Vang, a tenth-grade student at F.L. Schlagle High School, hopes that Obama will win the votes between the delegates. “I think Barack will make a good president because he looks smart,” Vang said.
Obama speaks much about change. In regards to education, he believes the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 was a failure because of inadequate funding and shortcomings in the design of the act itself. As a result, he plans to reform NCLB by improving assessment methods.
Furthermore, he plans to improve student learning in an individualized manner. Obama will reform the NCLB Act so it will support, instead of punish, schools that need improvement.
Requires annual standardized testing to measure yearly progress. One of the main elements that developed as a result of NCLB Act is the benchmark grading system. That grading system is currently utilized at F.L. Schlagle High School for English, math, and science classes.
Junior Ashley Williams believes it would be positive for Obama to change the current NCLB Act. However, she said, “Words are just words. It may not happen; it depends on his character. They should change the benchmark so we can be better off.”
In regards to the war in Iraq Obama plans to help Iraqi political leaders to resolve political differences at the heart of their civil war.
Williams feels like it would be better for the country to get out of the war in Iraq.
“It will help our debt,” Williams said. “Taxes should go down – or else the tax money will go to better things we need and want. That will impact us in a good way, it will help low-income people, and help us get things we really need.”
Mr. Szczygiel, American Government teacher at F.L. Schlagle High School, believes that race should not be an issue in determining the presidential nominee. However, he also doubts Obama’s competency to assume all the responsibilities that come with being president.
Specifically, he is concerned about Obama’s lack of experience as a leader.
“There are people that will vote against him and for him,” Szczygiel said. “But race shouldn’t matter.” Regardless of race, Szczygiel added, “We are better off with a qualified president.”