How to Uncover a Candidate's Position on Education

It's often difficult to assess how a particular candidate plans to act on education issues, particularly when their views are carefully constructed to minimize offending anyone. Polls today play a huge role in how candidates shape their positions. But you can uncover the real scoop with some easy steps that may benefit you in the future. All it takes is a little effort.

Are you uncomfortable asking the really tough questions? Sometimes there are groups in your community willing to pose your questions on your behalf. One approach is for you or the leaders of the parent group to which you belong to ask candidates how they feel about issues at public forums. You can also do this at campaign appearances, through radio talk shows or by sending them a questionnaire.

Here are some examples of questions to address to candidates:

1. What are your three priorities that you would hope to accomplish during your tenure in office? How will you go about achieving them? Why are these the most important priorities?
2. Do you believe more money is necessary to make improvements in failing schools? (And then read the answer carefully).
3. What role do you see for parents in the education process?
4. What is your position on charter schools? Do you feel they are a viable option for improving achievement and accountability?
5. How do you plan to improve the accountability of administrators, principals, teachers and schools?
6. How can we better assess achievement at the state, district, school, class and individual levels?
7. Do you support particular learning approaches, such as back-to-the-basics, critical-thinking, outcome-based or cooperative learning? Why or why not?

The Center for Education Reform offers help in assessing what you learn from candidates answers. Check out CER's Candidate Meter for more guidance on questions to ask, and interpreting the answers. Check out CER's Voter's Guide for reviews of state and federal candidates' positions on education issues.

Return to Power Topic: Election '08.