As George W. Bush prepares to move into the White House, the political landscape both in Washington and around the country is undergoing a transformation. In this issue, we include a package of stories covering the latest transition developments affecting education:
- Bush Promises Swift Action on Education. George W. Bush is pledging a bipartisan approach to improving the nation’s schools, a goal observers from both major political parties say is feasible, depending on which aspects of his campaign agenda he seeks to emphasize.
- Dean of Education Governors Departs. James B. Hunt Jr., who will be stepping down this month after his fourth term as North Carolina’s governor, leaves a legacy of passion and persistence on school policy issues.
- Paige’s Nomination Applauded by Unions, Conservatives Alike. Houston schools Superintendent Rod Paige appears to have widespread support in Washington as President-elect Bush’s pick for secretary of education.
- Voucher-Style Program Offers Clues To Paige’s Outlook. Where education secretary-designate Rod Paige stands on the voucher issue remained something of a mystery last week. With no answer forthcoming from Mr. Paige or the Bush-Cheney transition team, the curious were left to glean what they could.
- Bush Successor Seen Staying the Course. Picking up where George W. Bush left off, new Texas Governor Rick Perry has labeled education as his “premier” concern and is expected to support the state’s existing school improvement efforts. Includes “Party Lines,” on other state gubernatorial changes resulting from Bush appointments.
- In Houston, ‘Sophisticated’ Paige Viewed as Hard To Replace. The beginning of the George W. Bush era in Washington signals the likely end of another—that of Rod Paige as the superintendent of schools in Houston.
- Boehner To Lead House Education Committee. Rep. John A. Boehner, a Republican from Ohio once known for his close ties to former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, has been named the new chairman of the House education committee.
- Child Advocates Appraise HHS Nominee Thompson. As one of the first governors to tackle welfare reform—several years before the federal government—Gov. Tommy G. Thompson of Wisconsin has certainly changed “the way we think about social programs in the United States,” said Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, a fellow Republican.
Bush Pick for Labor Draws Praise and Provokes Worries. President-elect Bush’s selection of Linda Chavez, the president of the Washington-based Center for Equal Opportunity, to head the Department of Labor drew kudos and criticism last week from those familiar with her extensive career in education and government service.
