If there is any advantage to our nation's prolonged presidential campaign season, it is the increased number of opportunities to hear detailed, issue-focused answers from the candidates. However, of the 440 questions asked during the first four Democratic and Republican debates, only one has touched on education.
This election was long overdue for a discussion on America's schools and the Democratic presidential debate at Howard University last Thursday night proved that Americans are ready for real talk from candidates about exactly what they plan to do to make America's schools stronger. The Howard forum was a good but modest start in drawing out the kind of thoughtfulness we need from the candidates on this issue.
Those of us working on the bi-partisan ED in '08 campaign know that education is an issue that affects Americans today, tomorrow, and 50 years from now. We applaud the sponsors and moderators for initiating earnest conversation about education, but last night was only a beginning. In many cases, their answers weren't enough.
Some candidates chose to talk about K-12 education, but many of the responses centered on early childhood programs and universal pre-kindergarten. In order to truly lead on this issue, our presidential candidates need to pay just as much attention--if not more--to K-12 education. Yes, high-quality pre-K can boost readiness for school, but readiness for college, careers, and life depends on strong elementary, middle, and high schools.
According to the American Educational Research Association [pdf], "even significant academic effects [from high-quality pre-K] tend to diminish over time, especially if children end up in poor-quality elementary and high schools." Further, a study from the National Bureau of Economic Research stated that "Children most likely to suffer fade-out in test score gains [from pre-K programs] are also most likely to attend the worst quality schools. This result suggests that gains from early intervention can be maintained as long as subsequent schooling is not of the worst quality."
For a debate centered on the impact of issues on African Americans, in front of an audience of largely comprised of African Americans, the candidates missed an opportunity by not specifically providing their plans to address these facts:
- Only about half of the nation's Black and Latino students graduate on time from high school.
Minority families are crying out for leadership on education and deserve to hear how candidates will improve K-12 schools so every student has a chance to succeed in college, careers, and life.
Early childhood education is important, but it's no silver bullet. Elementary and secondary school quality is critical to sustain long-term gains for all American students. Candidates need to offer comprehensive plans to dramatically strengthen K-12 schools, including rigorous American education standards, effective teachers in every classroom, and more time and support for learning.
This isn't just a Democratic issue or a Republican one. Gov. Roy Romer, my colleague on the Democratic side and chair of Strong American Schools, also believes that our next president needs to do more for America's students. Anyone who agrees should visit us at www.EDin08.com and join our movement to strengthen and improve American schools.