CONVENTION FOCUS ON EDUCATION

The Republican convention devoted Monday to “Opportunity with a purpose: Leave no child behind.” Sulzberger Middle School in Philadelphia embodies some of the challenges facing many of America’s inner-city schools. About 93% of Sulzberger’s 852 children come from low-income families.

GOP PROPOSALS FOR SCHOOLS

Reward Fund

Create a $500-million fund to reward states that improve student performance, as measured by a national sampling test or an equivalent.

Charter Schools

In states where test scores lag, 5% of federal education financing would be shifted to charter schools.

Savings Plan

Let families put $5,000 per year, per student into tax-free savings accounts for K-12 expenses.

Vouchers

Offer low-income families vouchers--roughly $1,500 a year--they could use for private schools, but only for students in schools that fail to improve.

DEMOCRATIC PROPOSALS

Class Size

Spend $3 billion annually to help reduce class sizes nationally to no more than 20 students for all grades and no more than 18 in the early grades.

Teacher Raises

Increases of as much as $5,000 for qualified teachers in poor and rural areas, and an extra $5,000 for “master teachers” meeting even higher standards in those areas.

Student Transfers

Provide after-school help for every child in a failing school or the opportunity to transfer to a better-performing public school.

Teacher Testing

Offer scholarships to college students who commit to teaching in high-need schools for at least four years.

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Sources: Candidates’ campaigns, Sulzberger Middle School