Hey Harry. Are you sure this is correct? I read that the plan says if schools fail, funding goes directly to parents. And that is based on mandated tests. Federal funding is nothing new though, right? And is anyone suffering under the illusion that Bush wants to govern as if the Constitution were strictly construed? I don't know where they could have gotten the idea. He has promised to nominate judges who are strict contructionists, which is a good thing. What I recall GW promising in education was more accountability and better results. I don't recall him putting any limit on how he would accomplish that.
One more thing: What is Alan Keyes expertise in the area of education? What are his qualifications? I don't have any problem with harsh criticism of the Bush education plan, but it would carrry a lot more weight with me if it came from someone whose profession is education, whose background and training is education, who could reference real data or studies, rather than just hearing rhetoric from someone who clearly has a political agenda. FWIW. So, what is the point, anyway? He was still a better choice than Gore. There is tangible proof of that. But he is not a "true" Conservative, which should suprise no one.
The problem with, and the federal government's role in our schools is not one of education, but of bureaucracy. I believe Dr. Keyes is well qualified to speak on the subject.
Many of today's education professionals are the problem, not the solution.
Teaching isn't rocket science, and when teaching curriculua have entire semseter classes on grading papers, you know that someone is simply stretching material in order to create credits for next-to-worthless degrees.
If 'professionalism' in the field made a difference, you wouldn't see homeschool parents able to compete in any way, but they do.