Obama (Finally) Talks Tough on Education Policy
Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama has stepped up the talk on education. Some education folks thought the day would never come. Speaking at Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts in Thornton, Co. this week, the Illinois senator gave a sweeping speech that was a departure from all the pandering and short-on-specifics education talk we heard earlier in the primaries. It was titled "What's Possible for Our Children".
Obama described the American public-education system as "morally unacceptable" and talked about making a "truly historic commitment" to improve it. Some of the highlights included his proposals to train more teachers and pay them better, to make college more affordable for those who commit to public service, and to fix the "broken promises" of the No Child Left Behind law. It's not entirely clear how he plans to pay for some of these proposals. For example, he promised to make community college completely free and offer a $4,000 tax credit to cover two thirds of the tuition at an average public college. He also made this pledge to those who sign up to become teachers: "If you commit your life to teaching, America will commit to paying for your college education."
Check out the full text of the speech. And you can see how Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, responded.
Tags: public schools | Barack Obama | education
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Reader Comments
Taxes!!!!
You are absolutely correcT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
An emerging education policy
Now that Obama has won the White House we will have a concrete education policy in place. While I don't want to get into much about Obama, I want to respond to EMA's comment about the City schools in Chicago. They are not the worst schools in the country. That esteemed title belongs to those in our nation's capital - Washington, D.C. Just a stones through from President Bush are the worst poverty stricken, below standard, crime and drug infested schools in country. So while Bush sat there for 8 years he watched the schools within walking distance of his house go further into desperation. Look no further than the grammer used in Ms. Smith's reply above mine!
Any effor to correct the current status of American schools have my vote! Some of you should really check the facts before you spout ignorance.
wow!!!
not that interesting okay you need more information
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