Our Voices, our Schools - March 2010
Henry Kraemer is the Political Director for the Bus Project, a 501(c)(4) that promotes hands-on democracy across the state. Prior to the Bus Project, Henry worked for Students for Barack Obama and Steve Novick's U.S. Senate Campaign.
The Bus Project has six 'E's that frame its 
work. How will the six E's, and specifically education, play a role in the Rebooting Democracy Conference this weekend?
Rebooting Democracy is all about people-powered politics. This conference brings together 350 of the state's rising activists to develop and embrace the best and boldest solutions to our state's great challenges, whether that means reexamining old answers that haven't yet become reality or finding new answers in all six 'E's.
A lot of Bus Project volunteers are very engaged high school and college students. How would you describe the connection between education and hands-on democracy?
A great education is vital to the empowered, involved populace we need to create bold, forward-thinking public policy. The young folks at the Bus Project can't cut a check to their preferred candidate, but they can knock on a bunch of doors and give power to the issues they care about and empower political courage in Oregon's leaders.
The Bus Project's website states that "nothing is more important to prosperity and true equality of opportunity than access to an excellent education." What would a world-class education look like in Oregon?
In my opinion, a world-class education system is one that has the resources to meet the needs of every student and actively addresses disparities. A world class education would give teachers the support they need and empower students from all backgrounds to truly compete in the 21st century economy.
