Who Stands for What On Education?

By Erik W. Robelen

Washington

Four years ago, Republicans vying for their party's presidential nomination were virtually unanimous in their position on the U.S. Department of Education: Get rid of it.

That stance fairly well summed up, at least symbolically, their assessment of the federal government's role in education. It also set a tone that many argue did little to help the party's reputation on school issues.

But as the 2000 presidential campaign builds steam, the rhetoric sounds markedly different. Today, talk of eliminating the department has practically disappeared from the Republican lexicon, including that of most of the...