More debate talk

This debate just cemented my vote for McCain. When I heard this part of the debate I admit, I was a little surprised but I definately agree with McCain. Throwing money to education isn't working. We need to reform the system.

I've always disagreed with all politicians on this topic. I think they need to fix all the schools so that schools that are good won't become overcrowded and result in the same problems. Also what about the kids whose parents just don't care enough to look into options, I know it's not our job to fix parenting issues but a basically good school can go a long way especially for a kid that isn't getting the support they need at home. Even when I was in Middle school I myself saw the difference between a school in a richer area verses a poorer area. Neither area was destitute mind you just mostly upper class verses mostly middle class. I relearned things in the middle class school that I had learned the year before in the upper class schools. They were both public and in the same school district. Isn't that weird that there would be such a difference in the same school district? Those kinds of inconsistencies need to be fixed.

I agree with you! I got the same message from it. I think Mccain clearly showed that he is the man who has the plans that will work. I think he understands that it cant be al spend, spend, spend! Especialy now when we do not have it to spend. I thought Mcain won the debate!

While most people focus on big city school systems, my concern is for the smaller school systems in the many rural areas of this country where the schools are seriously underfunded. This lack of funding makes it impossible for these schools to attract and keep quality teachers. I live in a small rural county and we face this problem year after year. I have watched the few good teachers we've managed to lure here leave after one year for higher pay in a nearby, wealthier county. Due to state budget cuts there was no money for a full time school nurse in a neighboring (almost equally small) county. No big deal? There are many diabetic children attending those schools so the outrage of parents was swift and loud. In order to abide by No Child Left Behind, students spend too much time cramming for the state mandated tests instead of getting a more comprehensive education. So, I would like to see the federal government be more supportive of our schools but I don't support vouchers because there are never enough of them to fit the need so many children are left out. I support Charter schools and would like to see more of them...or even one of them in my county. There needs to be more programs that meet the needs of students with learning disabilities because, unless you have a serious, medically recognized disorder, your needs are basically ignored. I really don't know how it would be possible to "reform" the extensive number of schools in this country but I suspect that that "reform" would end up consisting of increased wages to enable individual counties to attract and retain good teachers, an increase in funding for programs and an increase in vouchers...and hopefully charter schools. As he did many times in the debate, McCain was vague about this "reform" while Obama offered real ideas and solutions.