Obama And McCain's Plans On Education

CBS Evening News: How The Candidates' Proposals Would Affect Your Family

(CBS)  To help you make an informed decision in the presidential election, we'll be devoting a large part of our broadcasts between now and November 4 to telling you where the candidates stand on major issues - from the war in Iraq to health insurance to education … and a lot more. Each piece will be an in-depth look at the issues facing the 44th president. This installment: public education. CBS News correspondent Cynthia Bowers reports on how the proposed education policies of Barack Obama and John McCain would affect your family.

The Issue

When it comes to sports, whether it's on the basketball court or on the ice, high school seniors Brit Schneiders and Raven Gary know what it's like to be the best.

Both girls star on Illinois state championship teams, but when it comes to the public schools they each attend, these two aren't even in the same league.

Raven's high school, John Marshall, is on Chicago's tough West Side. It's part of the third largest school district in the country, Chicago Public Schools, where students average a meager 17 out of 36 on the ACT - the all important college entrance exam.

But the average at Marshall is only 14. The graduation rate hovers around 50 percent. Less than 8 percent of Marshall students read at grade level and fewer than 3 percent are at grade level in math.

"I'm goin' to college," said Raven, who is an A-student. But she and her mom Sharon Williams say it's been a real struggle at a school that doesn't even have enough textbooks to send home with students.

"When look at other schools ... do you feel ripped off, and why do you think the country is letting that happen?" Bowers asked Raven.

"Maybe they don't see the big picture," she said. "We need the tools to learn."

At Brit's public high school just a half hour north, New Trier, there's no shortage of textbooks - parents buy them. And excellence is expected in this 4,000-student district, which spends $17,000 per pupil, compared to $10,000 in Chicago Public Schools.

At New Trier, some of the course offerings sound like those at an Ivy league University: Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Sequential Art and Animation, Zoology and scuba diving.

New Trier students average a 27 out of 36 on the ACT. The graduation rate is 99 percent. So is the percentage of kids who go on to college.

"How lucky do you feel when you think about what you're able to walk in and get versus what they're getting?" Bowers asked Brit.

"We're really lucky here," Brit said. "A lot of people at New Trier take it for granted - like I do sometimes. You don't think that a lot of people have it a lot worse, even in our own city, Chicago."

There's no question American schools are falling behind. The national graduation rate is only 70 percent, less than 50 percent for students of color. American 15-year-olds rank 19th out of 40 countries in science and 28th in math.

The Candidates

Both Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain say getting students prepared to compete in the global economy must be a priority.

Their big difference? The role the federal government should play.

Obama proposes adding $18 billion a year to the education budget - expanding programs like Head Start.

"Every dollar we invest in that we end up getting huge benefits with improved reading scores, reduced drop-out rates, reduced delinquency rates," Obama said at Wednesday's debate.

He wants to fight the drop-out rate by spending more on "intervention programs" beginning in middle school.

And to help increase the number of teachers, he proposes 40,000 college scholarships to encourage undergrads to enter the classroom.

Unlike Obama, McCain also supports vouchers that give public money to families that send their kids to private schools. He wants to expand programs such as the one in Washington, D.C., which offers $7,500 scholarships to 1,900 low-income students that gives them an alternative to public school.

"What is the advantage in a low-income area of sending a child to a failed school and that being your only choice?" McCain asked at the debate.

He says to he wants pay teachers based on merit, and make it easier to recruit teachers from other professions.

On the whole, McCain believes most school-related issues should be handled at the local level.

Both candidates believe more money isn't only answer.

"You will find that some of the worst school systems in America get the most money per student," McCain said at the final presidential debate.

"Parents are going to have to show more responsibility. They've got to turn off the TV set, put away the video games," Obama said.

The Impact

What chances do these proposals have of succeeding in the real world?

When it comes to charter schools which both candidates support is mixed, but Raven's family is excited about the one her little sister just got into.

"Are you jealous - or happy for her?" Bowers asked.

"I’m happy for her, 'cause I don't want her to go through the same thing I have to go through just to get an education," Raven said.

Head Start, which Obama supports has been operating for 35 years, and while it has supporters and detractors, there is wide agreement that getting to kids early is crucial to their further success.

When it comes to vouchers, the Washington, D.C.,-based program McCain supports has shown promise. Ninety percent of graduates go on to college, compared to 30 percent in the districts' public schools.

The families admit to skepticism about political promises.

"We hear it every election, and then another four years go by and we're back to - you know," said Brit's father, Jeff.

"Just come up with some sort of programs that make it a little easier for them to get all they need," said Sharon Williams, Raven's mother..

"They need to care about us more," Raven said. "Because what if one of us wants to be president one day? Can't be the president if you don't know math."

For her part, Brit realizes this season may be her last playing hockey - and that's okay. Her academics - and her family - will get her through college.

But Raven is under tremendous pressure to shine on the court this year. An athletic scholarship may be her best chance at college.

She hopes her little brothers and sister get a better shot.

[xraydude2000]

McCain failed his first executive decision test by choosing Palin. ANYONE who would choose her as their VP and potential successor as President indicates someone of questionable judgement. Believing that she has the intellect and knowledge to be a GOOD president indicates someone of questionable intellect. EVEN THOUGH I FAVOR OBAMA, IF PALIN WAS A DEMOCRAT AND OBAMA HAD CHOSEN HER FOR HIS VP, I''D VOTE FOR MCCAIN. Now that''s straight talk.

[dutchiehaley]

I think BARRYS education plan should start with Joe Biden. "Joe, if you can give me a 3 letter word starting with J and ending with B and has an O in the middle, you''ll win the election! Sen Biden: ME KNOW THIS!!! Uh, J--O--B--S, JOBS!!! Noooooooo, sorry thats incorrect Senator Biden. We were looking for JOB. Potato anyone?

[twig221]

There is someone who was almost last in his class at the Naval Academy and the other has a law degree from Harvard. Let us think about this, who might have a better grasp on the intricacies of education? Let us not even go to the VP from the republican party, who is thrilled to have a high school dropout marry her daughter. She obviously cares deeply about education.

[vetsence]

With McCain being one who "offered up a confession" in Viet Nam as a POW thereby becoming a traitor to his country, one has to wonder if he is trustworthy to give education the boost that it needs even if he says he will. The only thing you are supposed to tell the enemy as a POW according to the Geneva Convention is your name, rank, and service number.

[anotherview2-2009]

Obama%u2019s Education. A look at what Obama has been involved in and how he has handled his own children%u2019s educatiion provides insight into what he believes.

William Ayers obtained a 50 million dollar grant to launch the Chicago Annenburg Challenge, where Barrack Obama was appointed chairman.

According to CNN, Ayers was %u201Cexplicit about the need to indoctrinate public school children with the belief that America is a racist, militarist country and that the capitalist system is inherently unfair and oppressive.%u201D Ayers put it as %u201Csocial justice ideals.%u201C

Investors Business Daily says Obama opposes programs that provide students free choice in the schools they attend. %u201C..although it might benefit some kids at the top, what you''re going to do is leave a lot of kids at the bottom." Yet he offers no alternative to allowing children access to the same schools others attend.

Obama%u2019s views on no choice and government run schools for others do not apply to his children however. Obama%u2019s children attend The University of Chicago%u2019s Laboratory Schools. Tuition is $11,442 for pre-kindergarten and reaches $21,480 for grades 9-12.
When asked by IBD about his school selection for his daughters, Obama simply said the Lab School is %u201C the best option%u201D for his children.

While that may true for Obama I doudt that all the %u201C middle class americans%u201D Obama is concerned about could provide that best option for their children.

[anotherview2-2009]

Obama%u2019s Education. A look at what Obama has been involved in and how he has handled his own children%u2019s educatiion provides insight into what he believes.

William Ayers obtained a 50 million dollar grant to launch the Chicago Annenburg Challenge, where Barrack Obama was appointed chairman.

According to CNN, Ayers was %u201Cexplicit about the need to indoctrinate public school children with the belief that America is a racist, militarist country and that the capitalist system is inherently unfair and oppressive.%u201D Ayers put it as %u201Csocial justice ideals.%u201C

Investors Business Daily says Obama opposes programs that provide students free choice in the schools they attend. %u201C..although it might benefit some kids at the top, what you''re going to do is leave a lot of kids at the bottom." Yet he offers no alternative to allowing children access to the same schools others attend.

Obama%u2019s views on no choice and government run schools for others do not apply to his children however. Obama%u2019s children attend The University of Chicago%u2019s Laboratory Schools. Tuition is $11,442 for pre-kindergarten and reaches $21,480 for grades 9-12.
When asked by IBD about his school selection for his daughters, Obama simply said the Lab School is %u201C the best option%u201D for his children.

While that may true for Obama I doudt that all the %u201C middle class americans%u201D Obama is concerned about could provide that best option for their children.

[mightyquenq]

As a volunteer, in an inner city public school, I hold out hope that things will get better. But, the problems are a lot worse then the American people realize. It is unimaginable until you experience it for yourself. A child learns best when the family and the school functions as a unit. When one becomes fractured, such as the family, the other tries to pick up the slack. I know now, no matter how much we try, schools cannot succeed alone. Chances are that in communities where the majority of the families have failed schools have also. There are rarely any exceptions.

[john43218]

Google this: BARRY SOETORO

[abbe91]

How can you believe in change when change means destruction? How can you accept a man who studied hate of America for 20 years? How can you trust someone who has terrorists on their side? If you do then you are just as wrong for this country, too.
Posted by john43218 at 08:08 AM : Oct 17, 2008

What about that guy who said

"The fires of hell are frozen glaciers compared to my hatred for the American government", "and I won''t be buried under their d*a*m*n flag." ?

[john43218]

The denial of truth will haunt people if they do not understand socialism. It will destroy what this country stands for: Honor and integrity. If you don''t see that liberals are angry and project everything they are as a whole onto the other, this blindness will hurt you and America in very extreme ways. Fact: McCain is not Bush and Obama is extremely liberal.

How can you believe in change when change means destruction? How can you accept a man who studied hate of America for 20 years? How can you trust someone who has terrorists on their side? If you do then you are just as wrong for this country, too.

[dante805]

The REAL Obama:
Small Town Americans are %u201Cbitter%u201D and %u201Ccling%u201D to Guns or Religion. They are anti-immigrant, anti-free trade. Given at San Francisco fund raiser

%u201CTypical White People%u201D quote

More Blacks are in Prison today than in college

Abortions are better than being %u201CPunished" with a baby

Went with Farrakhan to the Half-million man march

Mis-statements on the number of casualties in IRAQ

Never attended a White Church (even though he and Michelle preach diversity)

His Wife is finally proud of America (1st statement) then she is really proud (2nd statement)

His flat declaration that lobbyists %u201Cwon''t work in my White House%u201D changed after it turned out his own written plan says they could, with some restrictions.

His wife wrote an essay on black separatists in Princeton

Told a story of how his Kenyan father and his Kansan mother fell in love because of the tumult of Selma, but he was born in 1961, four years before the confrontation at Selma took place. When asked later, Mr. Obama clarified himself, saying: ''I meant the whole civil rights movement.''

His Hate pastor gave Farrakahn an award and supports Hamas

Obama exaggerated the death toll of the tornado in Greensburg, Kansas, saying 10,000 people died %u2013

B.O. caught with handwriting on Liberal Survey supporting unfettered Abortion and strict gun control

[jpfromoh-2009]

"Parents are going to have to show more responsibility. They''ve got to turn off the TV set, put away the video games,"

No need to spend billions and billions of dollars. Simple answer is that parents have to make education a top priority for their kids. Asian parents already know this and they are kicking our butts. Problem is that many parents don''t have the skills or knowledge to be education role models for their kids.

[abbe91]

"Obama''''s one big effort for education ''''reform'''' was with Annenberg Challenge in Chicago. Apparently this was some type of top secret plan since no discussion of it has taken place. Apparently, reporters are afraid to even ask about it.
Posted by downsteamjim at 07:45 PM : Oct 16, 2008"

Check who is Annenberg and who is president of the Annenberg foundation. She is in the very top list of McCain endorsers.

[jobiedav]

Quite amusing how Republicans are using these forums to lick there wounds. Instead of continuing these ridiculous - and at least in this election cycle, unsucessful - attempts to smear the Democratic nominee, maybe you should go back to the proverbial drawing board and rethink your stratagies. It''s time for a change. It''s in the air. I know you feel it. The first step to solving your problem is to admit you have one.

[noloyalisti]

Again, you have more of the McSame. The old school failed conservative ideology of unrestrained free market and privatization. We already let the right wingers ruin the banking industry and CEOs rob us blind in the oil and health care industries.

We certainly can''t afford any more Republicon corporate schemes. Time for a change.

[rcgreene1]

This is a good example of poor stereotyped thinking. McCain''s support of a voucher program misses the complexity of the problem. Bush''s No Child Left Behind was a failure in almost every state because of its one-size-fits-all mentality, and its arrogant insistance on irrelevant criteria for "success." Programs such as Head Start are essential, but without follow-up in elementary school through community oriented and locally designed support programs, we will go nowhere.

There are many elements to the issue of education, including the general mistaken notion in America that children are little cups that teachers can fill up with knowledge. Get the U.S. Department of Education to listen to community teachers and psychologist and design support and intervention programs that will work for each community. Get the government to act as a clearinghouse and granting agency for best practices in the school districys that need it the most.

[lizh-az]

Before you vote for McCain''s education proposals, please remember his 26 years representing Arizona and see how much he''s done for the children in his own state. Nothing.

[lasagna326]

I work at a high school in Arizona(Sen. Mccain''s home state) The schools here are nothing to brag about. We did not get a raise this school year. The classrooms are over crowded, close to 40 kids per class. Some rooms do not have enough desks for students. The kids are clueless. Not very intelligent. This school is in a nice neighborhood. I don''t even want to think of what it''s like in the city of Phoenix. Mccain is a joke. His own state is one of the worst and what has he done about it. I guess Cindy and him are on retreat when ever they are in Arizona.
Arizona is becoming like a third world country!

[dragonfly125]

Americans need to take a look at what Bill Ayers is
teaching today as a university professor to get a
sense of the educational leanings of Obama. They
worked together on education projects in Chicago,
and Ayers is still as dangerous in his educational
philosphy against America as his bombs were!
Please Americans do your homework and do not let
Obama fool you.

[downsteamjim]

Obama''s one big effort for education ''reform'' was with Annenberg Challenge in Chicago. Apparently this was some type of top secret plan since no discussion of it has taken place. Apparently, reporters are afraid to even ask about it.