Candidates for gov -- views on education

I am wondering which candidate for governer has the platform that best fits my beliefs on education. Wait -- first things first -- what are my beliefs? (Taps chin and considers)

Okay, how about this? I believe that children should be taught to learn, not stuffed with useless facts that they will not remember anyway. I believe that teachers should have some control over what they teach, when they teach it, and for how long, since they are in the unique position of actually knowing the children they are teaching. So far so good.

Anything else? I suppose that since I AM a special education teacher I should make sure that the candidate wants to support special educations services. Oh, and since I have two boys of college or near-college age, let's throw in my belief that higher education shouldn't cost as much as buying a small home. Good. Now what do the candidates think?

Tim Pawlenty says he has restored Minnesota's reputation as a leader in educational reform. He wants to make sure 70 percent of money goes into the classrooms. He has made forays into the area of performance-based vs seniority-based pay. This all sounds good. However, the last four years haven't been kind to my local schools. Declining enrollment has caused deep financial problems compounded by aging buildings. Do I want more of the same? Or are Pawlenty's ideas only for the Cities, and not getting out to "outstate" Minnesota?

Mike Hatch brings college into the picture. He says that closing a loophole that allows corporations to hide profits overseas will bring money in, which he will put towards higher education to help lower the costs. He also supports early childhood education and believes that NCLB is creating a situation where too many teachers are teaching to the test. This will resonate well with teachers.

But I have to ask, what do you plan to do about it? And the money from closing the loophole will lower college costs by how much? Will it really make a difference?

Peter Hutchinson says that children are not prepared for college. He wants to focus more on early childhood education and all day, every day kindergarten. He wants to support early childhood education financially as well. This sounds good too. I would question where the money will come from, as well as exactly what "preparedness" for college means.

Nearly of this information comes from MPR's Web site. Imagine if I went to the Web sites and started looking at what the candidates say about each other? I really try not to listen to what one candidate thinks another candidate believes. However in the age of soundbites, to actually understand what any candidate wants, you have to research.

Now, shall we delve into the issue of details of how the candidates actually plan to do this? On how they have performed in the past? On if they keep their promises or have a good moral life? Or maybe we should talk about the biases of the presenters of the information we recieve. Is there really such a thing as an unbiased reporter?

Sigh. Maybe I just vote for the person with the best hair : )

Education is very important to me too. This is corny, but it's our future. I think we need to support education with money that is effective. The big question is how do we do that (I don't have all the answers, that's for sure)? I agree with Sandy - no one is really clear what they are going to do! What we are always missing on candidates' views is...details!!