Education Week on Bush and Kerry

by Harry on October 18, 2004

Here, via Laura, is Education Week’s take on the education policies of Bush and Kerry. Not exactly Tweedledum and Tweedledee. But not far off it.

{ 5 comments }

1

Saheli 10.18.04 at 8:04 pm

After talking to some teachers, I have to say that my ideal strategy was something along the lines of “let’s not talk about education before the election, and then let’s lobby really hard to bring Kerry around after the election.” At least Kerry is a man who can change his mind.

2

Leo Casey 10.19.04 at 6:48 pm

It may not see earth shattering to those outside education, but the reform of NCLB to create reasonable standards of accountability, and the full funding of the law, so that schools which are truly failing have some resources to try to turn things around, is nothing to sneeze at.

3

harry 10.19.04 at 10:24 pm

leo,
the problem is that no-one is offering reasonable standards of accountability, and that Kerry, even if well-willed and well-informed, wouldn’t dare turn things over to the Feds (too many interests in keeping them in the States). I have higher hopes of Kerry than Bush in this respect. But not much.

Kerry goes on and on about full funding. Maybe he’ll provide it. But he’s spending his revoked tax cut many times over…..

4

Michael Cross 10.20.04 at 12:15 am

Tweedledum and Tweedledee? The candidates have diametrically opposed positions on matters such as vouchers, funding for math and science, etc. Saying they are the same does not make it so.

5

harry 10.20.04 at 2:01 am

You can see a less flippant and more detailed evaluation of Kerry’s program further down, Michael. And I did say they weren’t T&T. But vouchers are a very small issue; Kerry and Bush have different positions true, but they will play out much the same in practice. On charters, a much bigger and more significant issue, they agree (as does nearly everyone, or as nearly everyone pretends to). Bush can’t admit that NCLB is as flawed as it is, but for some reason Kerry can; but, again, I doubt that in practice there’ll be much difference,a dn the platforms don’t make it look like there will be. Money?; as I said to leo, yes, Kerry is more promising, but not much more.

I suppose if you stand in between these two on these issues, the difference might look big; but if you stand at all much to the left of Kerry it doesn’t.

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