CNN

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (CNN) –Democratic presidential candidate
Bill Richardson unveiled his education plan Thursday at Manchester West high school.
Describing the current education system as “broken,” the New Mexico Governor called
for an end to the No Child Left Behind policy, an increase in teacher salaries
and a commitment to arts in schools.

Characterizing his plan as “bold and comprehensive,” he admitted it could
not be done on the cheap but noted, “Unlike the timid plans of others, mine
is a $60 billion investment in our nation’s future.”

When asked by a senior student where the money would come from to encourage
pre-kindergarten education, the governor said, “I’m ready to put the money
into education because I think that’s the foundation of how we can deal with
poverty, competitiveness, family, values, family reunification, how we can
create higher paying jobs and better citizens.”

Some students seemed disconnected from the points Richardson was trying to make.
One girl said she didn’t understand the governor’s use of the word “earmark”
and would have to look it up later.

–CNN New Hampshire Producer Sareena Dalla