In addition to being an actor who has played presidents in two films, Fred Thompson is trying to act his way into the White House. Thompson held out to the very last minute before announcing his candidacy to see if he can gain some momentum and save a little dough for the role errr... road ahead. Thompson voted for No Child Left Behind in 2001 but feels that charter schools are the answer. They aren't. According to USA Today, here's where Thompson stands on NCLB and other educational issues:
Fred Thompson on education
On No Child Left Behind law
When he was a U.S. senator representing Tennessee, Fred Thompson voted in 2001 for the No Child Left Behind education law. The law, signed by President Bush in 2002, requires states to test students annually. Schools failing to make academic progress over several years could be closed or have their faculty replaced.
Thompson has said he believes it is appropriate for the federal government to provide money if states meet certain goals but thinks implementation of the law has gone too far. “The most encouraging reforms in education are occurring at the local level, with options like charter schools,” he said on his campaign website. “And often the best thing Washington can do is let the states, school districts, teachers and parents set their own policies and run their own schools.”
On making college affordable
Thompson has yet to unveil a higher-education platform. In the past, he has supported education savings accounts that allow parents to sock money away for college tuition and let it grow tax-free.
Other education priorities
Thompson said on his campaign website that he supports giving parents more choices in where they send their children to school, including vouchers that would allow them to pay for private-school tuition. He wants to reduce federal education mandates and emphasize science and math instruction.
