State of the Union address: on Education


George W. Bush: Progressing towards excellence for every child

All skills begin with the basics of reading and math, which are supposed to be learned in the early grades of our schools. Yet for too long, for too many children, those skills were never mastered. The No Child Left Behind Act has made the expectation of literacy the law of our country.

But the status quo always has defenders. Some want to undermine the No Child Left Behind Act by weakening standards and accountability. Yet the results we require are really a matter of common sense: We expect third-graders to read and do math at the third-grade level. That’s not asking too much.

Testing is the only way to identify and help students who are falling behind. This nation will not go back to the days of simply shuffling children along from grade to grade without them learning the basics. I refuse to give up on any child. And the No Child Left Behind Act is opening the door of opportunity to all of America’s children.

Source: 2004 State of the Union address to joint session of Congress Jan 20, 2004

George W. Bush: Jobs for the 21st Century: more high school help

We must ensure that older students and adults can gain the skills they need to find work now. Many of the fastest- growing occupations require strong math and science preparation and training beyond the high-school level. So tonight I propose a series of measures called Jobs for the 21st Century. This program will provide extra help to middle- and high-school students who fall behind in reading and math, expand Advanced Placement programs in low-income schools, invite math and science professionals from the private sector to teach part-time in our high schools.

I propose larger Pell Grants for students who prepare for college with demanding courses in high school. I propose increasing support for America’s fine community colleges, so they can train workers for industries that are creating the most new jobs. By all these actions, we will help more and more Americans to join in the growing prosperity of our country.

Source: 2004 State of the Union address to joint session of Congress Jan 20, 2004

George W. Bush: Fact Check: NCLB increased school funding, but shy by $5.4B

FACTCHECK on Education: Bush spoke of a big increase in federal funding for education, but didn’t mention complaints that he’s forcing states to pay for new federal requirements to test student performance.

BUSH: By passing the No Child Left Behind Act you have made the expectation of literacy the law of our country. We are providing more funding for our schools-a 36% increase since 2001. We are requiring higher standards.

FACTCHECK: It is true that federal funding for education has increased sharply since Bush took office, as even his critics concede. But it is also true that Bush’s new requirements for student testing impose large costs on state and local governments and that Bush hasn’t pushed the Republican Congress for the full amounts authorized by the No Child Left Behind Act. The National Education Association estimated the shortfall at $5.4 billion last year, and even a GOP senator, Olympia Snowe of Maine, said last year, “It leaves us open to the charge of unfunded mandates.”

Source: FactCheck.org on the 2004 State of the Union address Jan 20, 2004

Tom Daschle: Bush has not upheld NCLB deal with schools

Two years ago, the president signed a new education law. The heart of that law was a promise: The federal government would set high standards for every student and hold schools responsible for results. In exchange, schools would receive the resources to meet the new standards. America’s schools are holding up their end of the bargain; the president has not held up his. Millions of children are being denied the better teachers, smaller classes and extra help that they were promised.
Source: Democratic Response to the 2004 State of the Union address Jan 20, 2004

Tom Daschle: Our children deserve affordable college

The president’s tax cuts have put states in such a bind they’re being forced to raise the cost of college. Since President Bush took office, the average tuition at a four-year public college has increased nearly $600. The America that our parents gave us was a place in which everyone had a chance to go to a good school and then to college, community college or vocational school, regardless of family income. Our children deserve nothing less.
Source: Democratic Response to the 2004 State of the Union address Jan 20, 2004

  • The above quotations are from State of the Union address to Joint Session of Congress, and the Democratic Response, Jan. 20, 2004.
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2016 Presidential contenders on Education:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI) 		Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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Page last updated: Feb 23, 2019