If education policy is informed by current events and an eye on the future, it is dismaying that we haven't heard almost anything of substance from our two major party candidates. The fact that the last question of the last debate had to do with education tells us a lot about where this issue falls on our list of national priorities. When the moderator for the debate, Bob Schieffer, posed the question, I was excited by the possibility that we might finally get a sense of where the candidates intend to take us.
SCHIEFFER: Let's stop there, because I want to get in a question on education and I'm afraid this is going to have to be our last question, gentlemen.
The question is this: the U.S. spends more per capita than any other country on education. Yet, by every international measurement, in math and science competence, from kindergarten through the 12th grade, we trail most of the countries of the world.
The implications of this are clearly obvious. Some even say it poses a threat to our national security.
Do you feel that way and what do you intend to do about it?Both Obama and McCain each gave short and very general answers, as they were nearing the end of the time alloted for the broadcast. They each briefly mentioned funding, and the role of government in education. I got a hazy sense that each of the candidates align themselves roughly with their traditional party positions. I didn't expect them to be specific in the little amount of time they had left. Perhaps I'm impatient with the current climate in Washington, and the campaign rhetoric.
Policy polititcs is often more nuanced than election politics, if they can be separated a bit. I hope the incoming administration does take action to complete funding NCLB at the very least. Funding could convert an albatross around the neck of educators into the strong guide it was intended to be.
