The Candidates on the Issues: Education

Few laws have been as controversial as the No Child Left Behind Act, which has given the federal government unprecedented authority over schools.

The Candidates on Education

President Bush Defends 'No Child Left Behind' Testing (from a May 11, 2004, speech in Van Buren, Ark.)

Bush on Tying Federal Funding to Schools' Accountability (from a May 11, 2004, speech at Parkersburg South High School, Parkersburg, W.Va.)



Sen. Kerry on His Proposed Changes to the 'No Child' Law (from a March 29, 2004, speech in Sacramento, Calif.)

Kerry on Raising Salaries to Ease Teacher Shortages (from a May 6, 2004, speech at Colton High School, Colton, Calif.)

President Bush had hoped it would help him counter the view that Democrats care more about public education than Republicans. But growing criticism of the law and its uniform testing standards makes it unclear if the president's record on education will give him an edge against his Democratic challenger, Sen. John Kerry.

Bush's stance on education has polarized residents in West Virginia, a state that's up for grabs in the November presidential election despite its Democratic majority. NPR's Claudio Sanchez reports.