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Dodd Outlines K-12 Education Plan

Concord, N.H.

Democratic presidential hopeful Chris Dodd planned to tell teachers on Thursday that he will overhaul public education, guarantee universal preschool for children from low- and middle-income families and double the number of certified teachers.

The Connecticut senator's education plan also would pay teachers an extra $25,000 for teaching in high-need schools for five years and lengthen some students' school day by a third, according to an outline provided to The Associated Press. Dodd planned to unveil the ideas Thursday morning at the National Education Association of New Hampshire meeting in Bartlett.

"One thing is clear to me: We need to create the most educated generation in the history of our country to face the challenges before us. If our children fall behind for a decade, America falls behind for a century," Dodd said in prepared remarks. "As president, if you commit to teaching in our most challenging schools, I'll commit to making...