COLUMN: Campsign 2000: Four men, one destination

George W. Bush: The education prezGeorge W. Bush: The education prezFrom Patrick Ruffini's, "Guest Columnist," Fall '00 George W. Bush: The education prezFrom Patrick Ruffini's, "Guest Columnist," Fall '00I believe that George W. Bush is the best choice for America because he exudes confidence about the future and has a clear vision for a country where every child is educated and everybody has the chance to participate in this booming economy. Governor Bush is the only candidate who has much-needed experience in executive office and in building sturdy political coalitions, skills that are invaluable to any prospective president. As governor of Texas, Bush already has a proven record of improving public education. Since he has been Governor, the number of students passing all parts of the state's standardized tests has gone from 53 percent to 78 percent, with minority students posting the most impressive gains. During his tenure, Governor Bush has set down clear educational standards of excellence and designed policies to achieve them. Texas schools now have rigorous and intensive reading programs to ensure that every child can read at grade level by the third grade. School districts are held accountable for progress on specific, measurable goals, but are no longer micromanaged by state bureaucracies. The New York Times said that the progress in Texas schools under Governor Bush's tenure has been remarkable, calling the state's school system "an emerging model of equity, progress and accountability." As president, Governor Bush will focus on clear standards and local control so that innovation can flourish. So that every child gets a good education, he has fought to give low-income families the choice of where to send their children to school. Governor Bush has made extending opportunity and prosperity to disadvantaged Americans a centerpiece of his campaign. He understands that we need to use every means at our disposal to combat poverty and a lack of hope. Therefore, he believes that government should be supporting faith-based organizations and social entrepreneurs who may have a more effective approach to delivering services to the needy. (Even Al Gore has embraced a watered-down version of Governor Bush's plan.) As a part of his tax-cut plan, he would expand the deduction for charitable contributions and provide incentives for corporations to give back to the community. George W. Bush also understands the new economy and has the right plan to encourage entrepreneurship and to keep our prosperity going. He would make a great president because he is a decisive leader who embodies and appeals to our best qualities as Americans: our confidence and our optimism.