The Boston Globe: on Education
Sarah Palin:
Teach creationism alongside evolution in schools
Earlier this year, she told the Anchorage Daily News that schools should not fear teaching creationism alongside evolution. “Teach both. You know, don’t be afraid of information....
Healthy debate is so important and it’s so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both. And you know, I say this too as a daughter of a science teacher.”
Source: Boston Globe, “A valentine to evangelical base”, p. A12
Aug 30, 2008
George W. Bush:
Signing statement: No independent research on education
Pres. Bush issued this signing statement instructing federal agencies on his interpretation of Congressional laws:Nov. 5, 2002: Creates an Institute of Education Sciences whose director may conduct and publish research ‘’without the approval of
the secretary“ of education.
Bush’s signing statement: The president has the power to control the actions of all executive branch officials, so ”the Institute of Education Sciences shall be subject to the direction of the secretary of education.
Source: Boston Globe, analysis of presidential signing statements
Apr 30, 2006
Mitt Romney:
Supported abolishing the federal Department of Education
- Supported abolishing the federal Department of Education
- Favored keeping control of educational reform at the lowest level, closest to parents, teachers, and the community
-
Pledged to vote to establish a means-tested school voucher program to allow students to attend the public or private school of their choice.
Source: Boston Globe, review of 1994 campaign issues
Mar 21, 2002
Mitt Romney:
Supported means-tested vouchers for public & private schools
- Pledged to vote to establish a means-tested school voucher program to allow students to attend the public or private school of their choice.
- Supported abolishing the federal Department of Education
-
Favored keeping control of educational reform at the lowest level, closest to parents, teachers, and the community
Source: Boston Globe, review of 1994 campaign issues
Mar 21, 2002
Jim Jeffords:
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act revived
Newly empowered by the defection of Republican Senator Jim Jeffords, Senate Democrats take control this week with plans to push for a project he has championed for more than a quarter-century: a special-education program [called the] Individuals With
Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA. The White House and Republican leaders in Congress have argued against committing the federal government to paying its legally mandated 40% share of the program. Although Jeffords and other supporters forced a voice
vote on the Senate floor last month in favor of the plan, it appeared unlikely that a Republican Congress would include the measure in the final education bill and in the appropriations process. Jeffords made full funding of IDEA, a program to help
communities pay for court-mandated education of disabled students, a condition of supporting President Bush’s tax and budget plan. When the White House balked, Jeffords ultimately left the GOP after his relationship with his party further deteriorated.
Source: Susan Milligan, Boston Globe, p. A1
Jun 4, 2001
Al Gore:
Yes, poor parents in failing schools might like vouchers
Al Gore, the situational ethicist, recently said: “If I was the parent of a child who went to an inner-city school that was failing. I might be for vouchers, too.”
Source: Boston Globe, editorial by George F. Will, p. A22
Aug 31, 2000
Al Gore:
Agrees with unions against vouchers; disagrees on testing
Gore has hewed close to the needs and desires of teachers. If Gore wins, there will be a payoff for teachers unions. “They get a president who’s probably going to veto any bill that has the slightest hint of a voucher program in it,” [a policy expert]
said. “They’re going to get a president who’s probably going to propose new spending programs on education.”[In the Iowa primaries], Gore said that he would propose testing all new teachers and allow schools to hire teachers based on their expertise,
without regard to seniority. Both ideas have long been anathema to the unions. NEA officials insist that they support testing of new teachers, but not existing ones, and in April the AFT proposed a national test for new teachers.
In May, Gore served
up two more controversial ideas: setting standards for teacher tenure based partly on student performance and giving bonuses to good teachers based in part on student performance.
Source: Jill Zuckman, Boston Globe, p. A10
Jun 3, 2000
Gary Bauer:
If not prayer, recite Declaration
Bauer says if schoolchildren can’t begin their day with a prayer, then they should recite their Declaration of Independence. “It would accomplish the same thing,” said Bauer. He would select the passage that begins, “We hold these truths to be
self-evident..” Bauer added, “It would remind all of our students that God is the author of our liberties and that nobody can take that liberty away. And since it is in the founding documents, I don’t see how the ACLU could object.”
Source: Boston Globe, p. A20, “Political Briefs”
Nov 25, 1999
Elizabeth Dole:
Merit pay to retain teachers
Dole said her goal as president would be to restore schools to greatness. Dole said she would ease federal regulations, would back merit pay for teachers, and would make it easier for parents to save for education costs. Dole said merit pay was essential
to retaining good teachers to educate the growing student population. “It’s time to let creative, enthusiastic teachers know that they are a national treasure right where they are - in our classrooms,” she said.
Source: Jill Zuckman, Boston Globe, p. A8
Sep 23, 1999
Elizabeth Dole:
More ed. savings accounts; tax credit for ed. charity
Dole said she would increase the contribution limits for education savings accounts from $500 to $3,000 a year to help parents pay for a child’s school or college education. She said she would also like to create a $1,000 per-year tax credit for people
who donate to educational foundations helping low-income students in public and private schools through grade 12.
Source: Jill Zuckman, Boston Globe, p. A8
Sep 23, 1999
Elizabeth Dole:
Web of rules makes system fail; empower states & districts
Dole said the Clinton administration had entangled schools in a web of federal rules. “Take a look at this unwieldy stack of paper,” Dole said, pointing to a thick bound copy of the Elementary & Secondary Education reauthorization bill. “This would be a
joke is our system were working, but it’s no joke,” Dole said. “As president, I will allow states and local school districts to choose how most federal money is spent, as long as they set, measure, and reach goals for student achievement,” she said.
Source: Jill Zuckman, Boston Globe, p. A8
Sep 23, 1999
Elizabeth Dole:
Search students’ lockers & backpacks for drugs & guns
Dole suggested that school officials search student lockers and backpacks for drugs and weapons. She also said schools should consider testing students for drugs - if their parents consent. “For drugs and weapons, I say: There will be no place to hide,”
said Dole.
Source: Jill Zuckman, Boston Globe, p. A8
Sep 23, 1999
Al Gore:
Education is best anti-poverty, anti-discrimination program
Gore said, “We must realize that education is the greatest anti-poverty program, the most powerful anti-discrimination strategy we could ever have.” Gore said pre-school programs should be extended “for every child, in every community in America.”
Source: Boston Globe, p. A12, “Gore details plan”
May 17, 1999
Al Gore:
$10K “Teacher Corps” bonus; hire & test teachers
At a commencement speech at Graceland College, Gore called for:- Hiring 2.2 million new teachers, while making them pass tough tests;
- A new teacher corps offering $10,000 to go to college to become a teacher and a $10,000 bonus to switch from
other professions;
- Expanding pre-school and after-school programs;
- Toughening states’ teacher licensing;
- Promoting special “second-chance schools” for troubled youngsters;
- Expanding family leave so parents could become more involved.
Source: Boston Globe, p. A12, “Gore details plan”
May 17, 1999
Al Gore:
More choice, more local control, within public schools
At a commencement speech at Graceland College, Gore called for:- More choices for parents within the public school system;
- More control for local school officials over staff, budget, and student advancement;
- Programs to identify “failing
schools” and give parents more leeway in putting their children in different schools.
Neither Gore nor aides would say how much his proposals might cost. Gore said, “Every one of these proposals will be fully paid for within a balanced budget.”
Source: Boston Globe, p. A12, “Gore details plan”
May 17, 1999
Page last updated: Oct 11, 2020