Democrats Must Catch up to Bush on Education

High school seniors breathe a sigh of relief at the end of the school year, not just because they're heading off to college, but because they're finally done with the SATs. The dreaded Saturday mornings spent frantically filling in bubbles are finally over. The only tests they'll have to worry about for the next four years will be, for the most part, done in blue books. But future generations of students may be even more inundated by standardized tests. The Republican presidential frontrunner, Texas Gov. George W. Bush, has made accountability and assessment the centerpiece of his educational plan.

Meanwhile, as the specter of incessant tests from kindergarten to law school haunts those still in diapers, the Democratic candidates seem to have their heads firmly stuck in the sand. The issue perhaps most near and dear to the hearts of students nationwide is being discussed on only one side of the fence. Could it be that the Republicans are leading the way in education these days? With Texas Governor George W. Bush presiding over one of the greatest turnarounds in state education history and the Republicans in the Senate granting $300 million more for education in the budget than Clinton asked for, there certainly seems to be change afoot.

Bush's success in the field of education is a challenge to the Democratic candidates. While Gore has made education a center plank in his platform, he does not have the hands-on experience in turning around a failing educational system that Bush can claim. And even though Bush has inherited and adopted traditionally Democratic attitudes towards education, he has been willing to take even more radical steps for improvement. Bush's radical methods have also had detractors; unfortunately, both Democratic candidates have tiptoed around the issue of testing in order to improve performance.

From the party of fiscal restraint and lower taxes, Bush has been seeking to distance himself from the Republican ideology of small government when it comes to public education. In contrast to other Republicans he has championed the federal government's involvement in Head Start programs. Of course, when it comes to public schools the money comes with a caveat: no improvement, no further funding. Bush's heavy emphasis on testing has given Texas one of the most comprehensive evaluating methods in the country. So far, that system has yielded data pointing to a substantial increase in student ability.

Bush's policies have been test-oriented and results-driven. And so far, Bush has gotten results in his home state. Bush has not done so on his own; for the most part he has simply continued and strengthened the changes made under the previous Democratic administration, led by former Governor Ann Richards. To his credit, Bush has not tried to portray himself as having initiating the changes, but he has certainly capitalized on the rapid turnaround in Texas' schools. By emphasizing education in his stump speeches Bush can point to the successes in his home state, an area which has frustrated legislators for decades.

Many of the successes seem to be the result of rigorous testing methods which ensure that students pass the nationwide exams in writing and math. Schools which fail to prepare students for the tests can be "reconstituted"--in other words, completely overhauled by the state, which demands the resignation and reapplication of each teacher and administrator. Such incentives have clearly changed both the expectations and the achievements in Texas schools. Scores on nationwide tests ranked Texas students among the top in the nation in math and writing.

For minority students the changes have been even more dramatic. Schools can be examined by the state if the entire student body is testing well but a certain demographic, say Latino males, is scoring below average. The results: black and Hispanic students ranked first in math and second in writing on the nationwide tests, and the achievement gap between white and minority students has closed dramatically.

But testing has its downsides. Parents complain that their children are only being "taught to the test." Teachers complain about the rigidity of the curriculum. Minority groups complain that the tests are inherently biased against minorities since they flunk too many black and Hispanic students, thus unfairly affecting their chances at future success. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education has already filed a suit against the State.

Still, Bush's system has its converts even among liberals. And his striking success makes parents and students wonder if perhaps all the bubble-filling is perhaps making a difference. As further credit to the system, Texas' funding for education still remains below average, ranking 40th in spending among the 50 states. This means that it isn't the famous Democratic solution--spending--that has increased the scores of Texas students.

And where do the Democrats stand? It's hard to tell. Gore, while promoting the same pre-kindergarten programs as Bush does, remains hazy on teacher evaluations. Gore has said teachers should be reevaluated every five years, yet has gained the endorsement of the American Federation of Teachers by portraying Republicans as callous to the stress and demand of the teaching profession. And there seems to be little mention of student testing among all the talk of "values" and "discipline."

Bradley is hardly faring any better. With his sweeping medical mandates you would think Bradley would be come equally as clear on the other big issue on the collective American agenda. But when asked in the recent town hall debate in New Hampshire why voters should choose him, Bradley cited his views on health care, race relations, child poverty, campaign finance reform and economic growth, not education.

Both Democrats and Republicans still have plenty of time to address this vital issue before the final votes are cast next November. But as it stands now Bush has thrown down the gauntlet and the Democrats will have to address the debate on his terms. Will the public be treated to a substantial debate on the merits of testing and funding based on performance as well as other contentious issues such as the use of vouchers and charter schools?

Students may not be in favor of increased funding for the Educational Testing Services when there's barely enough money to pay for basics like books and papers. But the issue deserves more than lip-service. One year from now Americans should be able to vote for the candidate with the best educational policy after hearing the merits of all. Let's hope that both sides are up to the challenge.

Meredith B. Osborn '02, a Crimson editor, is a social studies concentrator in Leverett House.