| School Choice and Charter Schools Become Presidential Campaign Issues |
| posted by: Cindy Omlin | May 30, 2012, 10:44 PM |
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President Obama is now proposing that his flagship Race to the Top program aim federal funds at schools districts rather than the states. Considered a step in the right direction for local control, the program will earmark nearly $400 million in new grants and invite school districts to create plans for individualized classroom instruction. The proposal will also offer preference to applicants that form partnerships with public and private organizations to sustain their work for future groups of students. The announcement comes on the heels of a strong education focus for President Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in the last year. The administration has championed many student-centered reforms that stress accountability. For example, in a recent address, the President commended charter schools as a key component of education reform. "There are some charters that have figured out how to do a very good job. What we've got to do is look at the success of these schools and find out how we duplicate them," he mentioned. In a speech last Wednesday in Washington, D.C., presumed Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney unveiled his education agenda via a 35-page white paper. He called for swift action nationwide. "Here we are in the most prosperous nation, but millions of kids are getting a Third World education. And America's minority children suffer the most," Romney said in his first education-focused address. "This is the civil rights issue of our era. And it's the great challenge of our time," he added. Governor Romney indicated he would expand the District of Columbia's popular Opportunity Scholarship Program as part of a broad push for more school choice nationwide, setting up a stark contrast with President Obama, who has called for the D.C. program to be phased out under pressure from the teachers' union. He also challenged the President's relationship with the teacher unions. According to Governor Romney, it's unlikely that President Obama will support bold policies that conflict with the union agenda due to the NEA's 2011 endorsement. "President Obama has been unable to stand up to union bosses — and unwilling to stand up for kids," he stated. Overall, Governor Romney's national school choice plan would grant students who receive federal education assistance the ability to choose from among any school in their district, including expanding public charter schools. He said he would push for states to offer enough options so that the choice would be meaningful to students who are stuck in failing schools. Commentators have been quick to point out that while Governor Romney goes a step forward with promoting school choice policies, education has traditionally been an issue that allows for strong bipartisan agreement. "Education achievement is not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue. It is an issue of national priority," President Obama reminded voters this week. Reacting to the renewed spotlight on education, AAE Executive Director Gary Beckner called for both candidates to consider real teacher feedback when discussing policy. "It's important to note that while policymakers champion new and innovative ideas in education, it's critical that real educators' opinions and experiences are taken into account as these reforms are considered and implemented," he stressed. Click here to read Mr. Beckner's full statement. What are your thoughts about the presidential candidates' positions on education reform? Comment below. Originally posted by Alix at AAE.
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