The First Class Education Mission Statement:

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Our Motivation:

To give every student in America
the opportunity of a first class education
so America can continue to enjoy
a first class economic future.

Our Strategy:

To change the laws in all 50 States and the District of Columbia
to make public schools more effective and efficient
by requiring at least 65% of every K-12 education dollar
be spent on "in the classroom instruction"
as defined by the National Center for Educational Statistics.

Our Tactics:

To create the most effective citizen-action movement in America
that will give every voter and elected official an opportunity
to support via ballot initiative and/or grassroots lobbying
a correction of America's education priorities
to first, class education.

Our Stakeholders:

America's Parents
America's Teachers
America's Taxpayers
America's Employers
and most importantly, America's Students!

Why 65%?

According to the National Center for Educational Statistics' June 2004 report, four states – Utah, Tennessee, New York and Maine – exceed the 65% goal , down from seven states two years earlier. The four best-performing states have tremendous differences in the amount they spend per child on education – Utah the least in the nation and New York the second most. They're from different regions of the country. They have divergent cultural, demographic and economic make-ups. They're simply about as different as four states could be – but all place classroom education as a priority. The diversity of these states shows that a goal of 65% for classroom instruction can be met throughout the nation. In fact, nearly every state has school districts – big, small, rural, urban and suburban – that are performing at and above the 65% goal.

Other FAQs

It's a simple, intuitive and responsible solution:

• Change the law in all 50 States and the District of Columbia by the end of 2008.

• Require every Schools District to spend at least 65% of their education operational budgets in the classroom for Teachers & Kids.

• Keep local control of education, but demand statewide accountability.

"America's children will enjoy a first class economy in their future only if we ensure every student an opportunity for a first class education in their immediate present."

"If we want a first class education, we must change our educational priorities to first, class education."

" 'In the Classroom' education include most anything that directly impacts the child ... whether teaching a child to read a book, read Braille, read music or read a football defensive pass pattern."

"Classroom education is the only activity that can possibly increase test scores and dynamically impact our students."