Leave Bush-McCain Plan Behind

As we turn the page on the Bush Administration, it's time to address the failed Bush-McCain education policy. Like the war in Iraq and Hurricane Katrina, the last eight years have been characterized by Bush administration incompetence, anti-intellectualism and empty promises for our nation's children. George W. Bush promised to leave no child behind and yet almost 30 percent of N.C. students don't graduate from high school and a near majority of the state's students attend underfunded schools. The only thing that Bush left behind was the funding.

John McCain promises more of the same for education and everything else. What didn't work in 2002 is not going to work in 2009. Instead of sending students from failing schools to private schools using vouchers like McCain would do, Barack Obama is committed to fixing the problems that plague the public school system and making the system accessible to every child in America.

Specifically, Obama will fund programs to prevent vulnerable students from falling through the cracks at an early age. This includes increasing preparation and retention of teachers, fully funding after-school programs and establishing mentoring programs to ensure that students of every background get the education they deserve. McCain opposed funding to reduce dropout rates in underperforming middle and high schools.

However, Obama's educational reform extends beyond elementary school classrooms. An Obama-Biden administration will increase Pell Grant awards that make college more affordable as well as create a new American Opportunity Tax Credit, providing $4,000 a year towards a college education in return for 100 hours community service per year. McCain, regrettably, has voted against increased funding for Pell Grants and other programs designed to make college more affordable. Having put himself through college, Obama understands the burden of student loan debt, co-sponsoring the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, which reduces the amount of federal subsidies to student loan lenders and redirects that money to students who need financial aid.

Voters have a clear choice this November. Obama offers a breath of fresh air. By emphasizing the power of public education and making sure that at-risk students are engaged in the classroom at an early age, the U.S. will once again be the envy of the world. McCain's continued support for No Child Left Behind shows just how out of touch he is with our nation's teachers and students. If McCain doesn't realize that the system is broken, how can we expect him to fix it?

Will Passo is a Trinity sophomore. He is the executive secretary of the Duke Democrats.