• Mitt Romney points out the underperformance of kids in
the US saying that they score only in the bottom 10%- 25%.
Therefore there is a need to revamp the education system.

• Education should not be confined to a teacher's union
only. There should be involvement from parents, the state,
federal government with the support of the teachers.

• Romney advocated better pay for good quality teachers to
improve quality of teaching.

• He perpetrates English immersion in schools stressing
that English should be learnt at a very young age.

• While Governor Romney brought forth a scholarship for
all kids that graduate in the top quarter of the class known as
the John and Abigail Adams scholarship, which was 4 years tuition
free entry to state colleges and universities.

• He supports the concept of 'No Child left behind'.

• Romney supports setting up of charter educational
institutions and conducting immediate third party audit in
underperforming schools, giving authorization to principals to
replace 10% of underperforming staff etc.

• Romney supported the elimination of Federal Department
of education and favored keeping educational reforms t the lowest
level involving parents, teachers and community.

• He was against schools inflicting specific religious
practices or prayer in schools. Instead Romney stressed on
teaching the importance of economics and family values.

• Romney pledged to vote for a means tested school voucher
program which gave the students coice toi attend any public or
private school of their choice.
		

• Huckabee proposed the launch of weapons of mass
Instruction program which included art and music in the
curriculum besides science and math saying that these subjects
stimulate creative instincts in a child and prevents boredom and
thereby lesser number of school dropouts.

• He voted for abstinence education funding on equal
ground with contraceptive based education. He was also for
displaying the 10 commandments in public schools.

• Huckabee supports charter education saying that charter
schools are wonderful laboratories for educational reform. They
help to incorporate good manners and basic elements of good
character and honor among the student population.

• Huckabee supported the Omnibus Education Act of 2003
which was a bit drastic though highly effective because it
focused on issuing warnings to under performing schools and
authorizing the government to step in after two years of
continuous fiscal or academic distress and go to extents of
terminating the superintendent and firing and replacing the
entire school board.

• Huckabee emphasized on the Smart Start program while in
office as Governor in Arkansas. This program stresses on high
standards and accountability while focusing on math, reading and
character based education. Every individual school and student is
held responsible and there is no scope for low standards or
failure.

• Improving education in public schools is a top priority
for Huckabee. He encourages sending children to these schools to
support and have confidence in them.

• Huckabee proposes increasing state funds for hiring new
teachers and raising salaries and also supports teacher testing
and merit pay.