Editor's Note: The following is the first installment of a multiple part series discussing each presidential candidate's position on one issue in the election. This week: Education.
While I do not staunchly support all of the Bush Administration's education policies, I do believe that George W. Bush is the best candidate to handle the issue come November. Bush's No Child Left Behind Act is my primary reason for believing that Bush is a stronger candidate than John Kerry when it comes to education.
The No Child Left Behind Act provides for a basic plan to ensure improvement in the American educational system. This act, which Bush signed into law in 2001, mandates that states, districts and schools implement plans to ensure proficiency in reading and math. Upon Bush's arrival in office, only 11 states were in compliance with Federal education laws. To date, all 50 states are in compliance with the No Child Left Behind Act. This is another huge stride that Bush has made in education.
Even more impressive are the future plans Bush has for the education system and his push for the funds necessary to fix the problems in our schools. The Fiscal Year 2005 budget calls for a $37 billion dollar increase in funds to elementary and secondary schools, a 48 percent increase in school funding since 2001. The GOP Agenda also describes an additional $138 million that is to be spent on reading programs in the fiscal year 2005 budget. This is on top of the $1.78 billion already handed out to the states for Reading First, a portion of the No Child Left Behind Act. Bush understands that a literate populous is a successful populace and he is working towards achieving literacy rates never before seen in the United States.
Through the No Child Left Behind Act, Bush is also making other programs available to students. Extra tutoring is being offered to students who struggle in the classroom. Faith- and Community- based organizations now have access to funds in an effort to provide for learning programs. Also, the GOP website discusses the comprehensive report cards that are now being implemented in an effort to let children and parents know how the students are doing and in what areas they need to achieve higher standards. It is an all around message of accountability.
This accountability is being applied to the states in ways never before seen at the federal level. With all 50 states on board, it is reasonable to expect that this legislation will have an impact lasting generations. Bush has been working hard to ensure that every state has a plan in place and is working to achieve higher standards. The president is even calling for a 75 percent increase in funds over 2001 to go to special education programs. Everyone is expected to excel.
In a speech given at the Republican National Convention, Secretary of Education Rod Paige dismissed the arguments of opponents that the law needed to be "watered down." Indeed, some of the guidelines are very stringent and difficult to achieve. However, that is a testament to the Bush Administration, not a shortcoming. Finally, schools are facing the consequences of providing a lackluster education to students. It is these schools that the No Child Left Behind Act has worked so tirelessly to improve. As Paige said, "All across America test scores are rising, students are learning, the achievement gap is closing, teachers and principals are beaming with pride."
I am not hearing this same vision from the Democratic side of the isle. Kerry's own plan, as described on his website, is vague at best. Kerry wants to make sure that No Child Left Behind works for states and schools, but evidence points to the fact that it already is working for America. The candidate has plans to put a "great" teacher in every classroom. However, Kerry gives no solid structure as to how this will happen. His most compelling plan to improve education is to begin offering "3.5 million after school opportunities." He wants to do this through a program called "Schools open 'til six." While I like the idea of this plan, I believe that the funds provided through No Child Left Behind to Faith- and Community- based organizations are currently working toward Kerry's goal.
I do not expect Kerry to have all of his answers right now, but some of them would be a plus. Currently, his stance on education is too clouded for me to find him the strongest candidate. Bush has the answers I am looking for. He is and will continue to hold schools and states accountable in all aspects of No Child Left Behind. Thus, he has earned my vote in the upcoming election.
Jake Seybert is an accounting and CIS junior. Reach him at jacob.seybert@asu.edu.
