For the sixth time in 24 years, Mr. Doyle, the author of this article, has enabled the Kappan to publish the education programs of the major Presidential candidates. In this article, he shares with readers his views on Campaign 2004.

This article argues that while accountability is the watchword of overseers, too often it is the bane of the overseen. At its best, it reflects a prudent concern for good stewardship and responsible management of necessarily scarce resources; at its worst, it becomes a form of mindless hector-ing, in which careful oversight gives way to invective…

In the 2000 presidential campaigns, both Vice-President Al Gore and Texas Governor George W. Bush want to enlarge the federal role in education. In separate essays, Bush and Gore explain their plans to invest more federal dollars in improving poor children's educational progress and opportunities. (MLH)

A conservative view of education and character formation holds that there are no "value-free" schools, but there are "good" and "bad" values intrinsically embedded in our institutions. Good character education is comprised of three elements: example, study, and practice. Schools serving a heterogeneous population are properly nonsectarian.…

Ponders Americans' disenchantment with politics. Presents essays outlining presidential candidates Bill Clinton's and Bob Dole's plans for education. Clinton/Gore campaigners stress the President's achievements (expanding Head Start) and plans to encourage charter schools, fight truancy, and increase college access. Decrying Clinton's friendship…

There is no one "best" educational system, purports the author. Magnet schools offer choice and a powerful tool for educational change. Research findings about magnet schools are presented. (MD)

Describes the Committee for Economic Development; its interest in education; its conviction that carefully designed, high quality education will enhance the nation's economic development; and its reasons for recommending educational reform from the bottom up, emphasizing liberal education, and urging funding of enriched preschool experience for…

Having undergone major improvement in recent years, state governments were able to respond decisively when the public showed alarm over the condition of education. Since educational reform depends on leadership by teachers, enhancement of the teaching profession in terms of status, participant quality, and training must be encouraged. (PGD)

Despite similar problems, Australia has instituted several educational practices that contrast sharply with those in the U.S. (WD)

Informational, diagnostic, prescriptive functions of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) are best served by governance structure composed of federal, state, and local members and a standing technical advisory board. Structure protects NAEP from undue federal influence and special interest groups, builds bridges to educators and…

Research needs to be conducted to find out why parents send their children to private schools. The public schools must be willing to adopt the desirable qualities of private schools that are adaptable to the public sector. (Author/IRT)

Periods of scarcity, such as the one we are now experiencing, make the need for less federal regulation more urgent. Indeed, the combination of scarcity and President Reagan's New Federalism are going to force deregulation on U.S. schools. (Author/JM)

Disappointed with educational reform progress, the authors of "Winning the Brain Race" now believe that public schools no longer deserve monopolistic protection and can withstand competition from private schools and home schooling. The boundaries of public and private are already blurred by contracting for services. Technological advances will…

U.S. education faces productivity and efficiency crisis. Because local, state, federal budgets are limited, schools must accomplish more with less. Few U.S. youngsters see themselves as workers or their school performance as greatly affecting later life. Teacher and student expectations are unreasonably low. Because schools cannot provide social…

Superintendent John Murphy's plan to transform the Charlotte, North Carolina, schools hinged on empowering a panel of 10 distinguished educators to identify the elements of a world-class school system. The larger community contributed by attending separate day-long forums for principals and teachers, parents and concerned citizens, business and…