| Election 2000 | |
Education
is a key issue in Election 2000. Both candidates recognize that voters
are fed up with the condition of America's K-12 education system. Students
in less prosperous countries run rings around American students academically.
Social promotion, illiterate high school graduates, a shortage of skilled
teachers, decaying urban school buildings, lack of adequate funding and
the violence in our schools nationwide present serious challenges to any
future chief executive. Accountability, tougher teacher training standards,
state and national assessment tests, vouchers and school choice are just
a few of the cures being proposed.
So with two political conventions
taking place this summer, let's see where the candidates stand on education
and find out how they would solve some of the problems. Frankly the next
president will need incredible political skill and patience to resolve
these intractable problems. The president will only succeed if he is able
to convince the American people that fundamental changes must occur in
our public educational system. Politicians can talk all they want, Congress
can 
pass
reams of laws, but only we the people can bring about real change if we
truly have the will and determination to do so. Education, after all, is
funded at the local level. Towns and cities throughout America control
their own school systems. We must want and must wholeheartedly support
the fundamental changes which are so desperately needed. Otherwise they
simply will not happen or will occur at a glacial pace.
Before we examine where the candidates stand on the main educational issues, see how you do with the following questions:
1. Which candidate
favors school choice?
a)
Bush b) Gore c)
both
2. Which candidate
has been endorsed by the teachers' unions?
a)
Bush b) Gore c)
both
3. Which candidate
attended Phillips Andover Academy?
a)
Bush b) Gore c)
both
4. Which candidate
attended St. Alban's School?
a)
Bush b) Gore c)
both
5. Which candidate
favors assessment testing?
a)
Bush b) Gore c)
both
6. Which candidate
would penalize states if they fail to achieve goals?
a)
Bush b) Gore c)
both
7. Which candidate
would allocate the most federal funding for education?
a)
Bush b) Gore c)
both
8. Which candidate
favors abolishing the Department of Education?
a)
Bush b) Gore c)
neither
Turn to page 2. The answers are at the bottom of the page.
--Rob Kennedy, Private Schools Guide
Note: The logos for Bush and Gore reproduced above are materials available to the public on the candidates' respective sites.
Related Links
Gore
2000
George
W. Bush for President Official Site
