NPR: Obama on Education: Charter Schools and Vouchers?

Obama on Education: Charter Schools and Vouchers?

Mickey Kaus at Slate presents a case, made on recent statements by and about Sen. Barack Obama, that he is not as "left" on education as some of his supporters might believe.

Kaus points to a recent article at the Democrats for Educations Reform website that points out that Obama has said that charter schools are one of the places where he has broken away from other Democrats (he likes them); that in an interview with the Baltimore Sun when asked how the "troubled No Child Left Behind education program might be salvaged, Mr. Obama said achievement testing should not be abandoned but rather complemented with other measures of progress and more aid for schools."; and that while he "worried that vouchers won't generate the kind of supply of high-quality schools we will need" if vouchers are shown to work for students "he wouldn't allow his skepticism to stand in the way of doing something to help them."

"You do what works for the kids," Obama said.

The article on the Democrats for Education Reform site also quotes Obama as saying at a fundraiser in New York last year that the reason that it was difficult for Democrats to support charter schools was "the teachers unions as the obstacle on the political side. He noted that the American public was hungry for change and that the unions' leadership was going to have to decide whether they want to be in on it, or be completely left behind."

But Obama's positions about education appear more nuanced than the original piece might indicate - he also added in his interview with the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel editorial board cited in the Kaus article that he also believes that teachers need to be paid more money, be better trained, given more support, principals be better prepared and that teaching colleges should be accredited. But he believes that just throwing money at the problem isn't the answer, and that education reform requires that a variety of changes be implemented.

3:41 PM ET | 02-15-2008 | permalink

Comments

OBAMA ON EDUCATION...WHO LIKES WHAT? WHO SAID WHAT? WHO AGREES ON WHAT? WHO DISAGREES ON WHAT?

WHAT'S THE FUSS? THE FIRST WILL BE LAST AND THE LAST WILL BE FIRST....

WE WILL NOT PLAY WITH THIS ELECTION...

PEOPLE GET READY!!! AIN'T NO STOPPING US......

Sent by MS KITTI | 5:27 PM ET | 02-15-2008

I'm waited for the substance on the issues. I'm familar with the surface academic assessment of the education system and its short comings. Let's talk about vouchers that are earmarked for religious and non-relgious charters schools, give me the statisitc and measured results. Talk about the number of IB schools alternative, or impact of charters schools would have on left-behind failed public school system that has the potential to grow into "under class" public education program as a by-product of a voucher system. Gee, just stop repeating the polluster's BS. And stop telling us what we want to hear. We need leadership. After all, we are the uneducated one's who have voted in our current GOP. I been hearing talk about the failed public schools system for four decades; talk of change. Stop it. Give me a broke! Again, look at the current President and consider the education system of the country that elected him. It took more than our academic short comings to elect the current GOP (twice). This country's lacks integrity and honor, tolerance, respect for nature and humanity and much more. We are in need of new system of education NOT a system make over.

Sent by ob | 1:55 AM ET | 02-16-2008

From what I understand most congress people send their children to private schools. If so, they have no idea what it is like for the students attending public schools now.

What congress people should do is talk to the people who work with students, not just administrators or others who want to eventually run for office. I mean the people, teachers and aides, who are the ones on the ground with the kids every day. They should actually go to a school and spend some time watching what happens there in a classroom, in the lunchroom, and on the playground.

They make up legislation to fit the whole country when it just doesn't work in all communities. No matter who becomes the new presinut, I hope the get rid of NCLB.

Sent by Jan Illinois | 6:56 AM ET | 02-16-2008

This is an example of Mr. Obama looking at the best of what works in his home town and taking it forward to the National agenda.

The Founders (at least some, If not all) saw the States as the Petri dishes of America. Projects for education, transportation, medical systems and such are generally worked out at the state and local levels. Once a good thing is discovered, politicians then should move to ensure that those successful programs are added to the national agenda.

The continuous improvement displayed in the education system and meeting of standards in Illinois, and particularly in Chicago, has been the result of innovative approaches to funding our education system. Charter schools, Magnet schools, traditional public schools, and vocational schools are all intertwined within the greater educational system in Chicago. The trends demonstrate that the diversity in programming is paying off. Mr. Obama looks to be trying to bring the best of Chicago to the Nation.

What are the rest of the candidates talking about when it comes to education? Someone, anyone, please tell me?!?!?!?!

Sent by Paul M. Knudtson | 9:57 AM ET | 02-16-2008

IF Education is so important to the
Obama campaign,then why do he avoid
commenting on the far deeper use
of mathematics, physics and science
that is not supported by Congress
and the U.S. Senate. Mr. Obama is
the anti-deeper mathematics and
science candidate, yet he is pro
education.NO one in mass media will
challenge Mr. Obama on this topic.
I wonder why.

Sent by jerry a. Myers | 12:50 AM ET | 02-17-2008

math and science are over emphasized in the public school system. The arts and physical education are what is being snuffed out. Even History has taken a back seat in lue of the past 8 years. If you ask me, and this coming from a future educator, Mr. Obama's philosophy on the re-shaping of America's public school system is fine by me.

Sent by joe k. | 10:25 AM ET | 02-17-2008

Because the media is not challenging the Obama Campaign. Period.

Sent by A.p. R | 11:05 AM ET | 02-17-2008

Evidently there's more than one angry blogger claiming, yet again, that Obama "lacks substance". Meanwhile, his approach is more nuanced than they are willing to give him credit for.

America's problems in education are location specific: in the southwest, the issue of ESL students is a vast problem, while it is not nearly so great a difficulty in the northeast; gang colors and ghetto warfare is a major problem in inner-city schools, but the midwest doesn't see that dilemna. Reform must therefore come from the state and local level.

This is why Obama advocates funding grassroots initiatives without micromanaging American schools from Washington. The funding is the vital missing ingredient in American schools today. There is no absence of plans for improvement, and no amount of legislative reform will put books in the hands of students or keep teachers from leaving the profession.

Our schools need money, not advice.

Sent by Tynan Kelly | 7:13 AM ET | 02-18-2008

I like Mr. Obama's suggestions. As the mother of two high school students who have and are attending public shools, I also think that we need a national honor system that applies to administrators, teachers, and students..perhaps something simple like no cheating, no lying, no stealing. I also think the concept of tenure has gone too far. If and when a teacher comes to the point where he/she is too tired or just burned out, it is time to move on. There should not be job security for those who are not earning it. Yes, this takes money as well as a national presence.

Sent by Ann H. | 8:20 PM ET | 02-18-2008

As a future educator, I was excited about charter schools and loosing the future of america from the grip of local monopolistic school districts.

as i began my degree, i became aware of the intense opposition to choice for families in my choosen field.

Obama stand apart from others once again, by being willing to tell the NEA, what it needs to hear, rather than towing the dem play book of bowing to the NEA and promising to pump more money into a tragic system the rich can afford to avoid.

Way to go Barack for have the guts to lead our nation!

Sent by joe kavadas | 1:32 AM ET | 02-19-2008

Like everything we've seen in the election thus far, Obama's ideas lack a straight-forward focus and the experience to back them up. Sure, his state of Illinois has made some incredible progress in reforming their education system, but let's be honest: that's all on Mayor Daley, Arne Duncan, and the State Legislature; it's a process that has been in motion for over 15 years. He couldn't even claim Illinois residency at that point! Even with all of his "community organizing" experience on the South Side of Chicago, a community that is going through drastic educational reform, we never hear stories about Obama's experience with these charter schools. Does he actually have any? On the other hand, Senator Clinton's experience with Charter Schools in New York is clearly documented. Further, her ideas are straight-forward and focused. This just goes to show that she'll hit the ground running when she is elected because she knows HOW to make change. It's a shame that people aren't paying attention to education in this election. Just like every other issue, Hillary has the experience and the good ideas. Barack hops on the "good idea" gravy train, but doesn't have the experience to back up the unfocused hodge-podge of good ideas.

Sent by Bri from Evanston | 1:09 PM ET | 02-19-2008

Bri, Thanks for the information about Obama and the Charter Schools---much appreciated. I agree with your statement about Obama hops on the "good idea" gravey train, but doesn't have the experience. There are quite a few other ideas Obama has borrowed from others, too.

Sent by mary | 7:40 PM ET | 02-19-2008

for those of you educators and voters who are frustrated by Obama's lack of specifics and details, I would ask you to consider actually Reading about his positions on his web site and stop crying that the media isn't spoon feeding you.

www.barackobama.com

Sent by joe kavadas | 10:53 PM ET | 02-25-2008

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