George W. Bush vs. Education
...ts to save for their children’s college tuition with tax-free and inflation free savings, the National Tuition Savings program. Gore wants to make two years of college free with more student loans with lower costs, and expanding Pell Grants. Gore says he believes that in the knowledge- based economy of the 21st Century; everyone who is willing to work for it must have the chance to go to college. George W. Bush pretty much feels that existing teachers that are no longer qualified to teach effectively should simply be trained further, and he proposes to give the states money to do this. He wants to use elderly people to come in and volunteer their time to our students with using “Silver Scholarships” as an award, because he thinks that they are highly educated. However, he doesn’t realize it is really hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Al Gore on the other hand says out with the old and in with the new. He proposes to hire 2 million new qualified teachers within the next ten years, making sure each and every classroom has a qualified teacher in it. He will base that qualification on expertise and not seniority. Gore and Bush definitely disagree on testing students and voucher programs. Bush wants to test every grade every year and to publish the results; he doesn’t believe in national tests, but proposes to make the federal government pay half of the cost for state tests. Gore believes in testing and holding schools accountable for the success of their students, but believes that high school exit exams are most important. He wants to make sure every student holding a diploma will be able to read it, thus putting an end to social promotion. While Bush favors the voucher program, Gore does not agree with the at all; he wants to practically do away with it entirely, and instead bring about new revolutionary spending programs on education. When addressing the topic of character and discipline Bush and Gore both agree that it is vital to reform both. However, while Bush would prefer zero tolerance and classroom moldings of what he thinks to be a “distinguished character,” Gore says to build on second-chance schools, afternoon schools for teens, and smaller class sizes. Bush would rather do away with discipline-problem students by sending them to boot camps, and juvenile justice systems. Gore proposes that all kids should have a second chance at success in life, and his plans should help problem kids. Gore says his goal is, “by the end of the year 2005, every state working to close the achievement gap between different backgrounds; rich and poor; urban, suburban, and rural. A school system that holds every student, every school, and every stat...