The Politics of Education

As a future educator the education policies both candidates bring to their platform are of exceptional importance to me. Children in this country are struggling and the administration of the last eight years has been nothing short of a colossal detriment to the education system. It has become painfully obvious that this system needs to be uprooted, replanted, and given new and substantial life. Unfortunately this very vital issue has been swept aside in the media for more important topics like, what Sara Palin is wearing, who Barack Obama spoke with 20 some odd years ago, and whether John McCain will outlive the election. While these all make for wonderful commentary, it seems that preparing the future generation of our country, the ones that will inherit the great big mess this generation has made, is little more than a footnote on the debates. Both candidates have a policy on education and its time they were looked at with a little more scrutiny.
Under Barack Obama’s education plan the promises are big and hopeful. Starting with early childhood education, which is consistently overlooked, more funding would be funneled into the Head Start and early childhood programs in general. The “No Child Left Behind” plan will be reformed and properly funded and have schools and teachers rewarded not punished. It is a sad state of affairs when teaching our children cannot be a career option because it simply doesn’t pay the bills. Sen. Obama plans to implement monetary incentives to recruit new teachers and keep established teachers working harder to strive for more. Perhaps one of the most important issues of this plan is higher education. Every student from grades K-12 should constantly be reminded that college is the next step and that all though it isn’t mandatory, it is available. Finances should not be a deterrent for obtaining a degree above high school. Under this plan college will be obtainable for everyone and that’s as it should be.
John McCain’ education plan is short and simple. Give parents the opportunity to move their children from a low performing school to a higher performing school. This would include charter schools and vouchers for private schools. Under this plan a student wouldn’t have to be wealthy or elite to go to a better school. They would just have to be lucky. As wonderful as these schools are and as healthy as competition would be for the school districts, they have a limited amount of space for students. Not everyone gets in, not everyone gets the same opportunity. Teachers will be given a bonus, if they can prove that their efforts are working. On the higher education front McCain’s policy clarifies tax benefits and simplifies financial aid.
As everyone steps into the voting booth on Tuesday with lighter wallets and war weariness in their hearts, education policy needs to weigh heavily on their minds and demonstrate that this issue is just as important as every other policy the candidates stand for.