Miss. Gov: Undoing Of America’s Educational System Began With Working Mothers

Gov. Phil Bryant discusses a merit pay report from Mississippi State University researchers that suggests basing merit pay on Mississippi's new teacher evaluation system, which is slowly being rolled out, at a Friday... Gov. Phil Bryant discusses a merit pay report from Mississippi State University researchers that suggests basing merit pay on Mississippi's new teacher evaluation system, which is slowly being rolled out, at a Friday, July 27, 2012 news conference in Jackson, Miss. MORE LESS
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Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant (R) said Tuesday that an increasing number of working mothers are the root of America’s educational troubles.

In a Washington Post Live discussion with Delaware Gov. Jack Markell (D) and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez (R) on early childhood literacy, moderator Mary Jordan asked the three participants how America’s educational outcomes became “so mediocre.” Bryant was the first to respond.

“I think both parents started working,” Bryant said. “The mom got in the work place.”

The governor realized the implications of his answer and quickly clarified the response, stressing the role of parents in education.

“In today’s society parents are so challenged,” he said. “They’re working overtime.”

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