HOLDEN REVEALS EDUCATIONAL PLANS DURING VISIT TO SCOTT CITY SCHOOL

SCOTT CITY -- Missouri Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bob Holden released his plan for improving education during a visit to Scott City High School Tuesday afternoon.

Holden, state treasurer, also visited schools in Kansas City, Springfield and St. Louis to debut a 38-page "blueprint" for improving public education.

"This election will be a referendum on the future of public education in Missouri," he said. "What I am presenting to the voters is a real plan to help bring pubic schools out of the middle of the pack and into national prominence."

Holden said he hopes to continue efforts begun by Gov. Mel Carnahan to make educators and students more accountable.

"While I am proud of the progress we've made, we cannot afford to stop now," Holden said. "I want Missouri to be on the cutting edge in the 21 century of this global economy we all are talking about."

He outlined five major goals to ensure students have the best chance for success in Missouri public schools. The goals include: Preparing students for school; elevating the professional status of teaching; enhancing student performance standards and school accountability; reducing class size so students can receive more individual attention; and increasing the emphasis on personal character and discipline.

By setting new standards for schools, teachers and students and giving them the support they need to succeed, Missouri will become a flagship for the nation in providing a quality education, Holden said.

"Education is not survival of the fittest," he said. "We don't improve them by starving them. Somewhere along the way, too many children in Missouri lose their hope."

Scott City School Superintendent Roger Tatum said a number of the items in Holden's plan are already being used in Scott City and other Missouri schools. Programs like Parents as Teachers and alternative education programs are catching children who normally would fall through the cracks.

"Several of the items I noticed we are doing already, so those are things we already know work," said Tatum. "For the most part, I liked what he had to say."