Politicians, particularly those running for president, have a position on practically every issue, including education. However, discovering the details of a candidate’s stance can sometimes be daunting. The mere prospect of sifting through hours of recorded speeches and piles of press clips—not to mention all the advertisements—can leave the most diligent prospective voter overwhelmed.
Three websites are helping science educators examine the candidates’ views on science and education issues as the presidential race continues. Culled from debates, official statements, and interviews, the sites offer the candidates’ views on science and education issues, often in their own words.
Physics Today magazine has been questioning politicians regarding current science issues for more than 30 years, starting with Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford in 1976. The magazine’s “Campaign 2008” presents the candidates’ positions on six science concerns, including the teaching of evolution, science investment, and climate change. Working with the American Institute of Physics Inside Science News Service, Physics Today has summarized Republican and Democratic candidates’ views. The site also allows visitors to share their comments.
The Science, Health, and Related Policies (SHARP) Network says it has more than 500 pages of content, cataloging relevant statements and policy information from presidential candidates and U.S. senators and representatives and informing readers about science-related legislation and issues. Scientists and Engineers for America, which launched the SHARP Network in January, claims this is the first wiki dedicated to tracking science policy in the elections and throughout the federal government. SHARP includes brief biographies, as well as voting information on educational issues and short descriptions of particular legislation.
Education Week’ website offers Campaign 2008: The Candidates on Education. This interactive guide lets visitors select two candidates and compare their positions side by side.
Debate for Education
In addition to seeking to educate voters, other sites are hoping to raise awareness of science and education issues through public debate. The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Center for Science, Technology, and Congress launched http://election2008.aaas.org with support from the Lounsbery Foundation. The site, which targets science researchers, features candidates’ positions on science and technology, news updates, links to official campaign websites, and other online resources.
Science Debate 2008 also goes beyond gathering information on the candidates’ positions. It is asking for a public presidential debate on the environment, health and medicine, and science and technology policy. In addition to Nobel laureates, academic and business leaders, and scientists, government officials including U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology Chair Bart Gordon (D-Tennessee) have echoed the call for the debate to draw attention to “the increasing need for accurate scientific information in political decision making, and the vital role scientific innovation plays in spurring economic growth and competitiveness,” according to the website.
Strong American Schools, a nonpartisan public awareness and action campaign, has also called for a national education debate, asking presidential candidates to address national education standards, put “effective” teachers in every classroom, and increase learning time and support for students.