Candidates on Board, and Shouting Out to ED in ‘08

This week I asked my staff to tape for me Charlie Rose's program on PBS, as his presidential candidate series was on. This winter he is hosting several front-runners from both parties on his show to talk about their priorities and plans. Charlie Rose led his domestic policy questions with a good 10-12 minutes of discussion about education. Naturally, I was interested, and was even more so when the candidate who was that evening's guest started talking about the ED in '08 campaign pillars.

The candidate even went as far as to say:

"I believe you need, more than anything, national leadership on education, national standards, national accountability. Increase the school time that the kids go to school, the school year. Bill Gates and Eli Broad I think have some good ideas about increasing the role of the federal government in education. But not to dictate, but to basically be a partner and set goals."


Now for those of us at ED in '08, that was great to see! I repeat it here not to boast, but to express how pleased I am that the candidates are hearing our message and taking the time to really consider the implications that substantive education reform can hold for America's future. This was just one more in a series of recent media events in which candidates have been asked tough education questions, or have pivoted to discuss education reform and its significance when asked questions on other topics, like the economy.


There are many ways that the federal government can offer leadership in education without displacing the role of states and local districts, some of which I've laid out in previous posts on this blog.


In campaign speeches, I've emphasized that America isn't looking for the president to become a Superintendent-in-chief or to federalize schools. Rather, we need a President who uses the bully pulpit to rally the American people and works with state and local leaders—not just passing a few programs, but addressing the fundamental problems that hold back American schools. Regular readers of this blog will know that I'm talking about the needs for American education standards, effective teachers in every classroom, and more time and support for learning.


I look forward to the remainder of the Charlie Rose candidate interviews, and to continuing to hear the candidates' speak out on this issue.