The Best of Our Knowledge # 910

Albany, NY – THE TOP FOUR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES ON EDUCATION -
The presidential campaign has been monopolizing the news in recent
weeks. Most of the discussion is about things like the economy, Iraq,
health care, and the environment. Infrequently do we hear candidates
address education in any detail. So TBOOk did some research and fact
checking and came up with a short list of what the top two candidates
in each party have said regarding various education issues. We report
on Senator John McCain and former Governor Mike Huckabee on the
GOP side. And then democratic candidates, Senators Hilary Clinton
and Barack Obama. Next fall, we'll look at each party's education
platform before the November general election.
Dr. Karen Hitchcock reports. (3:00)

PRESIDENT BUSH'S EDUCATION GOALS IN HIS FINAL STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS -
While the presidential hopefuls continue to contest the primaries,
President Bush's underlying message in his State of the Union
speech was, I'm still here. Bush reminded Congress We have
unfinished business before us, and the American people expect us
to get it done. That unfinished business includes several items
on the education agenda.
President Bush used his final address to call on Congress to reauthorize
No Child Left Behind. And proposed 300-million dollars for a program
dubbed Pell Grants for Kids. It would provide grants on a competitive
basis to states, school districts, cities, and non-profit organizations to
create scholarship programs for low-income students in schools that
have missed their achievement targets, and in high schools where
graduation rates are lower than 60%.
Though the President began his speech by talking about the economy
and taxes, his two-minutes of education comments came early in
his 53-minute address.
Dr. Karen Hitchcock reports. (3:35)

NEW EDUCATION BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 -
The President's final State of the Union Address was followed up
several days later by his last education budget. The overall budget
would remain nearly the same as last year, about 60-billion dollars.
And it did not take long for opposition leaders to react.
Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, Ted Kennedy said,
Once again, President Bush has failed to put his money where his
mouth is with respect to public education. His rhetoric is to leave no
child behind but his budget leaves 3 million children behind - and cuts
critical education programs for early education through adulthood.
Bob Wise, President of the Alliance for Excellent Education said, the
overall flat spending levels proposed...will not adequately fund the
nation's education challenges nor offer congress incentive to improve
the No Child Left Behind Act.
TBOOK speaks with Education Secretary, Margaret Spellings, about her proposed final budget, and prospects for passage by congress.
Glenn Busby reports. (10:55)