Failing Children
On issue after issue, Jeanne Shaheen had the chance to lead. Sadly, she failed. Most importantly, she failed New Hampshire children -- ironically after declaring herself the "education governor."1
New Hampshire's school funding system is still flawed. As Governor, Shaheen "...urged lawmakers to pass a school accountability plan, saying the state must know whether its schools are improving." But one year later, Shaheen turned around and "...vetoed [the] very same school accountability bill." Shaheen also VETOED a bill that would have made opening charter schools easier, giving New Hampshire parents more choices.2,3,4
The result? Under Gov. Shaheen, "[a]pproximately 25 percent of New Hampshire's high school students drop[ped] out, yet few parents or policy makers in New Hampshire seem[ed] aware of the magnitude of the problem."5
Oblivious to the effect Governor Shaheen's leadership was having on the education system in the state, her spokeswoman dismissed the stunning drop-out rate saying, "...the New Hampshire dropout rate is on par with the national average."6
Even the state's top newspapers were taking note: A Foster's Daily Online editorial entitled "School dropout rate, as reported, is astounding," wrote, "Rep. Warren Henderson, R-Exeter, calls it New Hampshire's 'dirty little secret.'"7 Click here to read the full account of Shaheen's education record.
Is this the kind of leadership New Hampshire wants to return to?
When Shaheen was Governor, Education Week magazine gave New Hampshire's education system a "D" on improving teacher quality. At the same time, Governor Shaheen vetoed measuring student progress and she vetoed increased teacher accountability.8,9,10
Somehow completely oblivious to the seriousness of the problems, Shaheen claimed she actually provided leadership on education, "I would argue that I'm the only governor who provided leadership on the issue."11
Jeanne Shaheen did not make the grade.
Sources:
1 "Globe Northwest 2/New Hampshire; GOP Fault Shaheen's Education Record," Boston Globe, July 21, 2002
2 "NH: Shaheen Urges Passage of School Accountability Plan," The Bulletin's Frontrunner, April 6, 2000
3 "Shaheen Vetoes School Accountability Bill," The Associated Press, July 21, 2001
4 Editorial, "School choices; Educational options and the Shaheen veto," New Hampshire Sunday News, October 6, 2002
5 "One in Four: School Drop-Outs in New Hampshire," New Hampshire Center For Public Policy, June 2002
6,7 Editorial, "School Dropout Rate, As Reported, Is Astounding," Foster's Daily Online, June 3, 2002
8 Education Week, "Summary of Grades by State";
9 "State-local control issue divides folks on education," New Hampshire Sunday News, July 8, 2001
10 Shaheen veto message regarding Senate Bill 164, July 21, 2001
11 "Shaheen Defends Her Education Leadership," Union Leader, October 23, 2002
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