Like Sen. Barack Obama, the constituent base for Rep. Ron Paul (R.-Texas) are rabid and different. Both men garner support that echoes Beatlemania or Ross Perot-like enthusiasm. Rep. Paul is also in the populist camp, which seems to be striking a chord with the fringe as well as mainstream folks alike. His take on families who homeschool their children separates him from his other presidential competitors.
Below is where Ron Paul stands on education, as compiled by USA Today...
Ron Paul on education
On No Child Left Behind law
Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, voted against the education law known as No Child Left Behind, which requires states to test students annually, and remains wary of federal intervention in education. He is co-sponsoring a bill that would allow states to opt out of the No Child Left Behind mandates but still receive federal education aid. Under the proposal, residents of those states would receive a tax credit equal to the amount that they otherwise would have received in federal funding.
On making college affordable
Paul says he is concerned about the increasing debt load college students are bearing. He would lower taxes so families have more money to pay for college. Paul missed the vote on a bill that cut the interest rate on federally backed student loans by half, to 3.4%, and increased Pell grants from $4,310 in 2007 to $5,400 by 2012. President Bush signed the bill into law Sept. 27, 2007.
Other education priorities
Paul champions home schooling. He would push for tax credits to help parents instruct kids at home, promote home-school diplomas as equivalent to regular high school certificates and block federal mandates on home-school curricula. Paul also supports abolishing the Department of Education and believes education decision-making should be made at the state or local level.
