Words: Edwards supports higher teacher pay in low-income areas and believes that public schools should be provided with the resources they need. He is a strong advocate for higher education and feels that community colleges and public universities should be free and has proposed paying tuition in exchange for part-time community work. He also argues that “No Child Left Behind” is under-funded.

Actions: Edwards voted AGAINST more flexibility in federal school rules (1999), FOR allowing memorial prayers and religious symbols in schools, AGAINST education savings accounts (2000), FOR funding smaller classes and student testing instead of private tutors (2001), and FOR spending tax cut funds on education (2001). The NEA has given him a rating of 83%.

More about: Education, John Edwards.