The Best of Our Knowledge Show # 944

Albany, NY – EDUCATION HEADLINES - PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS

The economy, the energy crisis, the military engaged in wars on two battlefronts. These critical topics have all perpetuated a near de-facto news blackout of education issues just days before the election. So TBOOK wanted to take a moment to wade through the intense political rhetoric, and review how Senators Barack Obama and John McCain stand when it comes to some of the major education issues.

Vouchers: Barack Obama opposes the use of public money for private school vouchers. John McCain supports using public money for vouchers for low-income families.

Teacher Pay: Obama supports pay increases for what he terms accomplished educators who work in underserved locations and who consistently excel in the classroom. McCain favors school-level funding for teacher merit pay.

No Child Left Behind: Obama would fully fund NCLB and reform the law to reduce penalties on schools and emphasis on testing. McCain says he's committed to full funding of NCLB, but also wants the law reformed.

Head Start: Obama would increase funding and expand it to include an Early Head Start program. McCain would commit to funding Head Start only if the program allows increased federal oversight.

Other Issues: Senator Barack Obama would invest federal funds in the research and development of science, math, and technology education. Senator John McCain favors federal funding for virtual schools and online courses as part of a larger focus on school choice initiatives.

Glenn Busby reports. (1:45)

**(For the most current information and more details on each candidates education platforms, go to their websites: www.barackobama.com and www.johnmccain.com.)**

RETURNING FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR SERIES
LARA POMERANTZ:
THE FUTURE OF SEX EDUCATION -

Picture the Dominican Republic on a map. It's a Caribbean island nation, southeast of the U.S. It shares a border with Haiti. Puerto Rico is on its right. Cuba and Jamaica are on its left.

The Dominican Republic is about the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined, and is home to nearly 10-million people. Keep in mind that about 35% of the population is under 15 years of age.

Though the Dominican Republic reportedly has the largest economy in the Central American and Caribbean region, it's a lower middle-income developing country.

Education is officially free. But those who live in isolated areas have limited access to schooling. Many lower-income students drop out of school due to financial hardships. This has contributed to the growing problems of child prostitution. In an environment where young girls are often denied employment opportunities offered to boys, prostitution becomes a source of income.

Back in the mid-90s, UNICEF estimated at least 25,000 children were involved in the Dominican sex trade. About 65% of that figure is believed to be girls. That's sparked the Dominican Republic's sex tourism industry, and is part of the reason why Lara Pomerantz elected to go to that country for her Fulbright Scholarship.

Featured in this story are: Lara Pomerantz, a law student at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia; and Tom Farrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Academic Programs.

Glenn Busby reports. (13:13)

**(Attention Listeners and Program Directors. Should students seek more information on how to apply to be a Fulbright, the website is: www.fulbright.state.gov.)**

EXCHANGE STUDENTS FROM ISRAEL COME TO THE U.S. -

In our last couple of shows, we've been reporting about college students from the U.S. traveling to other countries. Our next story reverses that direction.

For the past five years, some students from Israel have been coming to the New England region of America. It fulfills part of their national service requirements in Israel, and at the same time, their work supplements schools and programs for adults and youth in Jewish institutions here. It's sponsored and operated by JERNY - Jewish Educational Resources of New York.

Dave Lucas reports. (4:09)

**(Attention Listeners and Program Directors. The website mentioned at the end of the above story for more information on the Jewish Educational Resources organization is: www.jerny.org.)**