What are you trying to accomplish?
First, we want to inform the American people on the hard facts about the status of American education and the creative possibilities for improvement.

Second, we want education to be a top domestic priority for the next administration. To accomplish this, we want the President of the United States to exhibit strong national leadership on the issue of educational improvement—not just giving a speech or passing federal legislation but issuing a Kennedyesque challenge to the American people to make our schools stronger and better.

Third, we went to see that three fundamental policy areas are addressed: American education standards, providing effective teachers in every classroom, and giving students more time and support for learning..
Who is financing this campaign?
Strong American Schools is financed by grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, two of the largest philanthropic organizations in the world.
Who is the audience for this campaign?
We are speaking directly to the next president and his staff members. But just as important, we are also speaking to every American with a stake in this issue—and that means every American, period. Education is the key to the economic and social health of this country and every community in it.
Why do you think education is such an important issue?
The issues currently being debated on the campaign trail—national security, the environment and health care—share a core underpinning. Each relies on education. Without a highly educated citizenry, our nation’s competitiveness and security will be undermined, and our ability to solve the most complex challenges of the day will be threatened. It’s also a moral issue. All students—no matter their race or income or neighborhood—should have the opportunity to attend a strong American school.
How did you choose those three policy priorities?
These three issues are basic to educational progress. Standards: We need to clearly set expectations for learning before we can rationally organize resources, teachers, time, and support to get the job done. Effective teachers: After we set our goals, effective teaching is the most powerful force to help a student learn. It is not the only influence, but it is the most powerful. Time and support: Adequate time for learning and support for students is necessary to enable all students to reach the standards.

There are other issues. They also will be debated and discussed. But our focus is on these three basic elements because they are fundamental for improving schools and underlie all other educational programs and practices.
Where do you stand on the No Child Left Behind Act?
Strong American Schools does not take positions on any specific piece of legislation.

The issues promoted by Strong American Schools need to be part of any discussion that involves education reform—at the local, state, and national levels.

Whatever the Congress decides about No Child Left Behind, America will need strong presidential leadership to focus on the challenge of providing all students with rigorous American education standards, effective teachers, and time and support for learning.
I agree with some of your issues, but not all of them. Can I still be a part of this effort?
Yes. Our intention is to encourage a vigorous national debate on these issues so that the best solutions come to the surface. We are not trying to prescribe one narrow policy solution on any of these issues. We need your point of view.
If I think another issue is more important than these three issues, should I still sign on?
Yes. We know these three issues are not the only educational issues of importance to many Americans. Other issues will undoubtedly be debated, and we encourage that.
I’m for/against vouchers. Where do you stand on vouchers?
We do not take any official stand on vouchers—either for or against.

We know there is a vigorous debate about vouchers—just as there are debates about many issues. This campaign cannot address them all. Rather than addressing every issue, we are focusing on three issues that should not get left out of the debate during the next administration.
Don’t you think early childhood education is more important?
Early childhood programs are important, but so is K-12 education. Research shows that students who attend good early childhood programs but end up in low-quality elementary schools fall behind anyway.

We shouldn’t have to choose between offering early childhood programs and giving students great elementary, middle, and high schools. It’s not an either-or proposition.
You talk a lot about 1.2 million kids dropping out every year. Will those three policy aims improve graduation rates?
Some people believe that students drop out for personal reasons that schools can’t do anything about. But dropouts are much more likely to say they left because they were bored in school or falling behind in their classes than because of family or personal circumstances.

Researchers have shown that some schools have much greater “holding power” than others—particularly those with a more focused, academically challenging curriculum, and more supportive relationships between teachers and students.

And students are less likely to drop out when they enter high school with good math and reading skills. Based on that research, we believe that strengthening schools along these lines will significantly reduce dropout rates.
Do you have a bill in Congress that you support?
No. Strong American Schools will not take a position on any specific piece of federal legislation.
Does Strong American Schools generally favor Democrats or Republicans?
We are bipartisan. We do not favor one party over another or one candidate over another.

We believe that every politician needs to address America’s education challenge with creative solutions and strong leadership.
Do you expect the solutions to require federal mandates?
No. We believe the president should inspire and lead Americans at all levels—state, national, and local—to work together to improve schools. Education is primarily a state and local responsibility. But together, states and localities form a nation and the president is the leader of a nation. This is an American problem that affects us all. There are ways other than mandates that Presidents can affect change. For example, the Teacher Incentive Fund provides support to states and school districts that adopt pay for performance programs.