By Omar Lopez, DFER Policy Analyst
Call it the rumble in the education jungle.
Columbia University’s Teachers College hosted a debate on October 15 between Jon Schnur, Education Advisor to the Obama Presidential Campaign, and Phil Handy, Higher Education Co-Chair of Governor Romney’s Education Policy Advisory Group. [See the video here.] DFER was represented both in person and online by Policy Analyst Omar Lopez (live Tweeting @policywhisperer).
There were surprising revelations in the 90-minute debate by both representatives, particularly by Governor Romney’s representative. It was a field day for education policy wonks around the country who have been looking forward to hearing details about each candidate’s policy positions.
Here are some of the biggest hits:
Obama Representative Jon Schnur
Common Core – President Obama supports the implementation and funding of these standards
States should have high college and career-ready standards, which could be, though are not limited to, the Common Core standards. The Common Core has been adopted by 46 states, though there is a fear that bi-partisan support might suffer if Obama’s support is seen as a politicization of the issue.
NCLB Waivers – The President will continue to provide flexibility for states from No Child Left Behind through the use of waivers
Until the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (now known as No Child Left behind) is reauthorized, the President will continue to support waivers as a tool to give states flexibility.
Federal Role – The Federal government should influence states to promote desired policies
Schnur responded to Handy’s view on the role of the Federal government, i.e., that it should primarily serve as a statistician, but clearly saw it as a passé conversation topic that wouldn’t bear much fruit. Romney has, at various times, proposed eliminating the Department of Education, downsizing it, or consolidating it with other agencies. Republicans and Democrats would simply not see eye-to-eye in this issue, so he chose to agree to disagree.
Funding – The Federal government should use funds to supplement state spending
With Race to the Top and other initiatives, President Obama catalyzed states and school districts to enact bold, student-centered reforms. His first term clearly identified the money-for-policy-changes approach as an effective way of leveraging federal funds. This is a policy he will continue to pursue if re-elected.
Standards – States should use subgroup-specific standards
President Obama supports having different standards for subgroups (race, socio-economic status, disability, etc.), as long as the groups were making significant gains toward high academic standards every year. Obama sees this as the more realistic approach in that it embraces ambitious standards but sets attainable goals.
Higher Education – President Obama would continue to support policies that supplement tuition for students in financial need and forgive student debt for those going into public service
This is consistent with his policy positions in the first term and signals that he looks to continue it during a second term.
Zinger of the Night – When Phil Handy referred to Romney’s tenure as governor as evidence of his effectiveness on the issue, Schnur said:
“I would vote for Romney as governor, not president.”
Romney Representative Phil Handy
Common Core – Governor Romney supports the idea of the Common Core, though he does not agree that the federal government should fund it
Language is important when listening to Governor Romney (see the funding section below), and the Common Core is a good example. Governor Romney embraced the Common Core in primary debates, but conveniently left out the little detail that he would not fund the assessments needed to implement it. Handy provided those details during the debate.
NCLB Waivers – For the first time, the Romney camp has identified its opposition to Obama’s waivers
Previously mum on the issue, Handy said that Governor Romney contested the use of waivers because it was a tool for the federal government to control state education policies. Under a Romney administration, states would be left to their own devices. He described the waivers as “prescriptive,” which was surprising considering the fact that he supports reauthorizing No Child Left Behind in its current form, a move that most would call significantly more prescriptive.
Federal Role – The Federal government should only be involved in data collection and creating an environment for school choice