I have read both position papers on education and they display no leadership or anything new that will move education forward. Both just spout the same old "solutions" that have failed in the past. This just reinforces the defination of insanity "To continue doing the same thing and expecting the results to be different" Once again, education is an all talk no walk topic for our "leaders"

The more we voucherate, the more we will segreagate. Anyone who thinks that the move to vouchers is not race-based is naive!

While neither candidate is strong enough on the education issues important to me, there is a clear distinction between the two - McCain's policies promote privatizing education, Obama's support the people's schools, PUBLIC education.

Neither candidate will be great for public education. Hillary Clinton would have been the very best choice. Since her name will not be on the ballot, I am voting for the candidate that I think will be best for America and that is John McCain.

Senator Obama has recognized that NCLB is an unfunded mandate.

The Senator is familiar with the University of Chicago, an institution with some history in positive public school design. John Dewey anyone?

The Senator has also seen first hand what happens to underprivileged children in a one size fits all environment.

The Senator understands that multiple assessments, not just a standardized test, are required to determine if a child is progressing.

The Senator understands what a single parent must do to raise a child.

And the Senator has the "arm twisting" skills necessary to move the bureaucracy in the right direction and the intellect to see through the simple for profit motives of most educational lobbys.

The candidate of choice is important, however, equally important are the members of Senate and House of Representatives who will vote on any changes. One critic suggested we could do better with 635 people selected at random from across the population. History shows representatives who support the president are equally as likely to make things worse as to make things better (case in point; the Afghan/Iraq war).

Clinton has a deep understanding of the educational and health needs of our nation. She has the vitality to go forward and be an effective leader. However, I think that John McCain is a reincarnation of President Bush. As I listen to his campaign speeches and other comments, I see little difference between his and George Bush's rhetoric. At this time, I am still undecided as to whether I will even cast a ballot for president, the first time since I was given the right to vote at age 21.

I am a true believer in quality education, but money is not the answer in every instance, we need to go to the source. Barack seems to think America has an open wallet in our tight economy. I appreciate that McCain is taking into account special needs students and ELL student with NCLB; I can also appreciate that his wife is an educator, teaching special education students. I'll plug my nose and vote for McCain.

Mike Bonnie {prior comment} is correct

The members of the Senate and the House or Representatives are just as important, perhaps more so. As Mike said, "History shows representatives who support the president are equally as likely to make things worse as to make things better (case in point; the Afghan/Iraq war)."

The problem is, no one is recognizing the educational system is broken and can't be fixed with band aids. Politicians are so worried about offending voters that they are not looking at the individuals who can't vote - the children. A 30% drop out rate {or higher}, and a 50% attrition rate for new teachers is a sign on the wall politicians just want to ignore.

Well, for starters, McCain claims he does not know how to check his e-mail and cannot use a computer. There are very few jobs someone like that is qualified to do. My husband, the heavy equipment operator, has to be able to read a computer manual since the new heavy equipment has no steering wheel, it's got a "joystick."