Obama, Romney Share Many Education Policy Positions

The Los Angeles Times (10/12, Blume) reports, "When teachers walked off the job in Chicago last month, they were pushing back largely against" such education policies as a teacher evaluation overhaul, reduced job security, and expanding support for charter schools, noting that both President Obama and Mitt Romney support both policies. "Both also support paying more to effective teachers, a move that unions mostly decry as unsuccessful and divisive." The Times suggests that these positions mirror those of most Americans, and notes Romney's "unusual" praise for Education Secretary Arne Duncan in last week's presidential debate. Romney "told NBC News recently that Duncan 'has made a difference,' suggesting that he was, in effect, standing up to unions." Nevertheless, the Times notes, NEA President Dennis Van Roekel recently offered Obama his public support.