The Chronicle’s editorial department continues its Election 2004 coverage today with the fifth in a weekly series of issue coverage. Every Tuesday from now until the November election, these pages will feature information on a variety of hot-button issues—representing both the Democratic and Republican viewpoint. We welcome responses in the form of Letters to the Editor.
No Child Left Behind
Sen. John Kerry supports the No Child Left Behind Act, and he plans to increase its funding by about $10 billion per year. Kerry plans to create a National Education Trust Fund to ensure funding for educational programs such as hiring more teachers, lowering class size and offering more individualized attention. Kerry believes in more sophisticated testing measures instead of standardized multiple-choice tests, and he would offer additional support to failing schools.
As President, George W. Bush passed the No Child Left Behind Act. In the past four years fourth graders in urban schools are showing strong gains in both reading and math, and students across the country are showing improved test scores and are narrowing the achievement gap. Bush will continue to demand accountability from public schools so that every student is proficient in reading and math by 2014.
Preschool and afterschool
Kerry believes in the importance of early childhood education, and he would make pre-school available and affordable for all children. He supports Head Start programs and child care. He supported the Early Learning Opportunities Act in 2000. Early education teaches children important learning skills and prepares them for a successful future. Kerry also believes that afterschool programs can keep children out of trouble and offer additional educational opportunities. His “School’s Open Til Six” initiative would provide afterschool supervision for 3.5 million American children. These programs will offer a safe environment for students after school and free transportation home. This will improve educational opportunities and lessen the burden on low-income families.
Bush advocates strengthening Head Start programs, pre-K and child care services by allowing pre-schools to make better use of Federal resources. He believes in the importance of early literacy and plans to expand the Reach Out and Read program. His Head Start program also calls for increased adult literacy. Bush also wants to continue distribution of Healthy Start, Grow Smart booklets, and he recognizes the important role community and faith-based organizations can play in early childhood education. Bush also hopes to increase minority outreach efforts to ensure that all children have early start educational opportunities.
K-12
Kerry is a proponent of a rigorous, well-rounded education that focuses on math and reading and includes science, history, literature and the arts. Kerry believes that great teachers are the first step in offering great educational opportunities. His “New Bargain for America’s Children and Teachers” plan will recruit 500,000 new teachers over the next four years while increasing teacher salaries by $5,000 in high-need areas. Kerry’s education plan will hold teachers to higher standards and reward teachers that excel. He also aims to improve high school graduation rates. In the next five years, Kerry hopes to have 1 million potential high school dropouts graduate because of mentoring and tutoring programs. He will hold schools accountable for providing a high-quality education and getting students to graduate.
Bush’s education plan would expand state assessment tests in reading and math in order to increase accountability. He also supports including 12th grade student in the National Assessment of Education Progress and hopes to boost high school graduation rates. He would establish a $200 million fund to develop performance plans for high school student, and he would devote $200 million annually to his Striving Readers initiative. Bush would improve math and science courses, provide additional funding to Advanced Placement courses and encourage students to take the most rigorous course load. He would also improve vocational education in high schools. Bush recognizes the importance of having quality teachers in the classroom, and he would increase incentives and loan-forgiveness for teachers. He also promotes The Adjunct Teacher Corps, a $40 million initiative that brings experienced professionals into high school classrooms.
College
Kerry believes that college should be an opportunity for all qualified students. He plans to address the increasing cost of college and make college affordable to everyone. His plans include offering a College Opportunity Tax Credit on up to $4,000 of tuition, and he plans to simplify the student aid process. Kerry believes in initiative such as GEAR UP which offer tutoring, mentoring and college preparation for students. He also supports programs that help high school students with the college application process. Finally, Kerry hopes to increase college graduation rates by strengthening high school curriculums and giving students the skills they need to succeed.
Bush is committed to expanding access to college education. During Bush’s first term, federal financial aid assistance increased by 55 percent, making college more affordable to more students. Bush plans to offer enhanced Pell Grants, increase AmeriCorps education awards and reform the student loan process to benefit students. Bush also advocates dual enrollment and would provide grants as an incentive for students to earn high school and college degrees concurrently. Bush also believes in the importance of obtaining the necessary job skills, and he would work to improve job-training and job placement programs.
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