By Larry Jackson
Texas State Chair, NNA

President Bush, often considered at least cool if not downright hostile to the press, spent over an hour with editors in Washington March 10, giving as much time to questions as to prepared remarks.

Speaking to a National Newspaper Association conference, he surprised many of the editors with his relaxed manner and easy banter.

Some expected a “bunker mentality” after the Dubai Ports deal dissolved overnight.

Instead, Bush covered topics from Medicare to grade school testing, then responded to questions about rebuilding in post-Katrina Louisiana, criticism from teachers in Colorado and concerns about No Child Left Behind in Texas.

“If I were a newspaper owner, I’d want to make sure people could read,” he said. “And one way to make sure people read is to measure early whether or not people can pass a test.”

While contending his administration favors “local control of schools,” he said measuring results is essential.

“The No Child Left Behind Act said, ‘We’re spending a lot of federal money, particularly on Title I students. Show us whether or not the money’s being well spent.’”

“I’ve heard people say all we’re doing is teaching the test,” he said. “My answer to that is, teaching a child to be literate will enable that child to pass the test. There’s something fundamental about literacy.”

He said measuring children’s success enhances fairness in education for all children.

“There’s an achievement gap in America that is not right. When you measure at the fourth grade, you know, Anglo kids did fine; African-American and Latino kids didn’t. And that’s not fair and that’s not right.”

He urged the newspaper editors to challenge low-performing schools, too.

“That’s what you need to do. And I’m sure you are doing that,” he said.

“It ought to be unacceptable to opinion-makers when you find illiteracy. You ought to demand change, not only for your own self-interest, but for the sake of this country.”

He got a big laugh when he answered a Colorado editor’s question that sprang from a high school teacher’s remarks in class about Bush’s State of the Union Address.

“My question is about your sense of the free speech rights in the classroom or in public to criticize you without being considered unpatriotic.”

“Yes,” Bush responded. “I think people should be allowed to criticize me all they want. And they do!”

His tone became serious, though.

“The idea of being able to express yourself is a sacred part of our society. And that’s what distinguishes us from the Taliban. And that’s important for Americans to understand.”

Besides the First Amendment, he also spoke up for the importance of community newspapers.

“You can’t have a democracy unless there’s a free and vibrant press corps,” Bush said.

“I sometimes remind people I may not like what you print, but what you print is necessary to maintain a vibrant, public forum where people feel comfortable about expressing themselves.”