ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, October 7, 1996 TAG: 9610070009
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
D - Democrat
R - Republican
L - Libertarian
VIP - Virginia Independent Party/Reform Party
What policy or policies do you advocate that would address Kenneth Stockton's concern - and the concerns of others like him - that the quality of education is too low in many cases?
FOR U.S. SENATE
Mark Warner (D)
``We should start by putting more computers in schools and give the teachers training so they can use them. Schools and libraries should be given discounted access to the [Internet]. The business community should be encouraged to share executives to serve as guest lecturers and part-time teachers. This will help bring real-life experience to the classroom. We also need to re-structure vocational education. Currently we treat vocational education as a second-class education and that's not right.''
John Warner (R)
``Mr. Stockton has struck on an important concept: Business needs to communicate to teachers and administrators their needs and expectations of the workers they require. Perhaps instead of offering internships for students, Mr. Stockton's company should be offering fellowships for teachers so they they understand in a first-hand way, the challenge their students will face in the workplace and can prepare them accordingly."
FOR 5TH DISTRICT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Virgil Goode (D)
``I am proud of our public schools. I attended them, and this June my daughter will graduate from Franklin County High School. I believe in encouraging parents, teachers, the business community and civic leaders to take more active roles to improve the quality of education and increase access to technology in the classroom.''
George Landrith (R)
``When I served on the Albemarle County School Board, some of my top priorities were (1) smaller classes, (2) a strong curriculum that stressed basics like reading, writing, math, science and history, and (3) using our education dollars wisely and efficiently so that we could afford textbooks and computers. In Congress, I will work to see states, localities, parents and teachers have more say in educational priorities - rather than allowing federal educrats to impose a `one-size fits all' solution.''
Tex Wood (VIP)
``Having spent many of my adult years teaching (junior and senior high, college), I've had a up-close-and-personal experience with the problems Stockton raises. A combination of several factors retard educational effectiveness, including politically correct bureaucratic pressures, too many education courses and not enough academic courses required for teachers, a greater concern for the students' psyches than for their academic achievements.''
FOR 6TH DISTRICT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bob Goodlatte (R)
``Bringing 'real-world' experience like Mr. Stockton suggests to the classroom is important. Key basics like reading, writing and math are vital to prepare our students for the global economy. Other keys - safe schools with strong discipline, challenging curriculums and strong parental involvement.''
Jeff Grey (D)
``This lack of preparation is due to out-of-date textbooks and computers or the lack of, and also an increase in student-teacher ratios. Our nation must make public education its priority. More funding for vocational education is necessary. Goals 2000 would add computers to our schools.''
Jay Rutledge (L)
``The education market needs to be de-politicized and de-legalized from top to bottom. What do politicians know about education anyway? A free market will provide the diversity and choice in educational methods which Kenneth wants. Government schools should not monopolize public education.''
FOR 9TH DISTRICT, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Rick Boucher (D)
``I have worked with Wytheville Community College and other community colleges to establish an Advanced Technology Manufacturing Center, offering courses to students from throughout the region. The students who are graduates of those courses would be welcome by Mr. Stockton and other plant managers," because they will have learned latest technology. The increasing number of schools hooking onto the 9th District's fiber-optic network will soon allow students to learn to use the technology from their own schools.
Patrick Muldoon (R)
``The solution to our education problems begins with more parental involvement and local control. Parents and citizens must work with teachers and school boards to provide a demanding curriculum which will meet the needs of a global economy.''
Tom Roberts (VIP)
``A rising tide raises all ships. It is in everyone's interest that education be improved. This is a family issue, a local issue, but not a congressional issue. Congress has hurt our national defense by transforming it into a feeding trough of special interests. Let's save our education system from a similar fate.''
LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS CONGRESSby CNB