Booker brings education ideas to NJ Senate race

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. (AP) ? Newark Mayor Cory Booker has seen the urgent need to fix the city's failing public schools.

Now that he's a candidate for U.S. Senate, he sees the same urgency in urban areas throughout the state.

The Ivy League-educated mayor has clashed with the teachers unions for his support of merit pay and school vouchers. He tells The Associated Press he wants to create the same educational opportunities for all kids as he had.

But the New Jersey Education Association and American Federation of Teachers are staying neutral in the Democratic primary.

Their endorsement probably would have gone to either of two candidates who have been called stalwart supporters of public schools.

A fourth candidate, Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, has opposed vouchers but angered the unions by posting pension and health benefits reform bills for a vote.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/booker-brings-education-ideas-nj-senate-race-182232693.html

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