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SALT LAKE CITY — Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney attended Education Nation Tuesday morning in New York City to present his views on how to improve America's schools. In key areas, his views differ from President Obama.
Romney told the audience he supports tying at least some portion of a teacher's compensation to test scores.
"I don't know that there's a fixed percentage," he said, "but I do believe that there should be some connection between the capacity of the teacher to move students grade level to grade level and (the teacher's) compensation."
Romney also said he would give schools a grade, and give parents more choices.
From his experience as governor, the presidential candidate said, he didn't find a connection between more spending, smaller class sizes and performance.
"It is instead a focus in how you spend the money attracting the best and brightest in the profession, promoting the very best, measuring performance of students, giving its students the incentives to excel," Romney said.
President Barack Obama, in a pre-taped interview for Education Nation, said teachers get unfair criticism for blocking reform.
"I just really get frustrated when I hear teacher bashing as evidence of reform," Obama said. "What is absolutely true is, if we've got a bad teacher, we should be able to train them to get better. And if they can't get better, they should be able to get fired."
But on one important point, both candidates agree.
The key for me ... relates to great teachers, and creating families that can support their child in education.
–Mitt Romney
"I'm a strong believer that the way you get results is to get everybody involved, so it starts at home," Obama said. "Parents have to parent, and turn off the TV and video and make sure your kids are doing their homework done."
"The key for me ... relates to great teachers, and creating families that can support their child in education," Romney said.
The goal of Education Nation was to look for solutions and help make education a priority during this election year. It seems conference organizers have done that, as least for a while, by bringing together leaders and educators from all over the country.
