Dean Barkley on Education Independent Senate challenger

Tax credits for college is just pandering; we're broke

"Why not a $10,000 tax credit? Why not $20,000?" asked Barkley. "Who's going to pay for this? We're broke. I'm not going to pander to people."

Franken responded that the money spent would be equal to just a few weeks of the Iraq war and could be financed by reducing tax breaks for millionaires.

Parents choose schools via vouchers

A: Support. I support vouchers for public schools, not private or religious based schools.

No amendment for school prayer; don't legislate morality

A: No.

Q: What would you do about the decline of morals and ethics in America?

A: Morality can never be legislated. It comes from a strong family with beliefs in a higher power and strong spiritual beliefs. They will not be learned from Washington D.C.. It is the job of parents to teach these values to their children.

Supports charter schools & vouchers for public schools

Barkley supports the following principles regarding education.
• Maintain the national standards and goals set forth in "Goals 2000".
• Provide parents with vouchers to send their children to any publicly funded school.
• Implement charter schools where teachers and professionals receive authorization and funding to establish new schools.