LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Now, let's check in with the White House. CNN's Kelly Wallace is standing by at the executive mansion this morning. She joins us now with more -- Kelly.</s>KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Leon, President Bush is taking another opportunity to tout his education reform agenda. He and the first lady have traveled to an elementary school here in the nation's capital, a school where the students are 80 -- 100 percent are African-American, 80 percent live below the poverty line. But the school was chosen mostly because the school tests students in every grade, beginning with the first grade. And a key part of Mr. Bush's education plan is testing students annually in reading and math, from grades three through eight. The president believes that holding schools accountable for children's education is a key way to improve schools around the country. So the president will be there, Leon. And very interestingly, he will be joined by Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy, as well as three other members of the key education committees in the Congress. Again, the president reaching out to both sides of the aisle as he tries to build support for his education plan -- Leon.</s>HARRIS: Well, he has been trying to build support for the last couple of days. And what are his aides telling you about the kind of job that they think he's doing in getting his message across right now?</s>WALLACE: Well, they feel that they are off to a very strong, fast and a very good start. In fact, we understand from Ari Fleischer, the president's press secretary, that Mr. Bush came in on the senior staff meeting this morning and said how pleased he has been with how the past three days were going, how pleased he is about how the team is getting out its education message. So far, we understand that Mr. Bush has meat with over 50 lawmakers. By week's end, he will meet with over 80. Again, this team's feeling so far so good about getting their message, that education is its first priority -- Leon.</s>HARRIS: Good deal. Thanks much, Kelly Wallace at the White House this morning.
Bush Tries to Build Support for Education Plan