Words: McCain supports rewarding good schools and advocates charter schools, as well s allowing the states to decide on school vouchers programs. He’s against nationally imposed standards for funding and feels that such programs penalize students. He also believes that teaching creationism and evolution should be decided at the local level.

Actions: McCain voted AGAINST national education standards (1994), FOR requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer (1994), FOR funding abstinence education (1996), FOR school vouchers in DC (1997), FOR education savings accounts (2000), AGAINST funding smaller classes and student testing instead of private tutors (2001), AGAINST spending tax cut funds on education (2001), AGAINST funding local educational agencies (2005), and AGAINST funding after-school programs (2005). The NEA has given him a rating of 45%.

UPDATE: Arizona Senator and Republican presidential candidate John McCain met with The Des Moines Register editorial board Wednesday, October 24. McCain talks about what he would do as president to help bolster education in the United States.

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