U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy visited two Chicago public schools today, talking with school officials about improving education opportunities.  

He says the federal government is failing to provide resources for new reforms to help public schools. He says he's fighting to increase the education budget because the President's budget reduces funding for elementary and secondary education.  Kennedy toured a preschool center and a high school to learn about their programs, which he said he hoped to use to help schools nationwide.  At Stockton Child Parent Center teachers showed Kennedy, Representative Jan Schakowsky and Chicago schools chief Arne Duncan a virtual pre-kindergarten program.  Officials at Best Practice High School demonstrated their focus on smaller schools and an advanced curriculum.