George W. Bush

Accountability and vouchers

Testing: Bush would require states to develop standardized tests for students. These tests would be used to determine the progress of students at schools receiving federal money through Title I -- a program for low-income students.

"Low-performing schools will have three years to produce results. If they do not, then these resources will go directly to the parents," Bush said during an address to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in July.

Vouchers: Although Bush rarely uses the term "voucher," under his plan parents of students at consistently low-performing schools would receive $1,500 per child in federal funding to transfer their children to private schools, give the money back to the public school or use it for tutoring.

Charter schools

Bush supports doubling the number of charter schools by investing $300 million in a "Charter School Homestead Fund" to provide a total of $3 billion in loan guarantees to new charter schools.

Class size

Bush has proposed combining the current federal class-size reduction funding with other existing teacher training funds and $400 million in new funding to create a $2.4 billion "Teacher Training Fund," which states could use at their discretion for professional development or class-size reduction.

School repair and maintenance

Bush has proposed expanding the public-private partnerships in school construction. As president, Bush says he would allow states to offer more private-activity tax-exempt bonds. Private contractors could use those bonds to finance the construction of new school buildings, which they would lease to the school district. The private investor would retain the right to rent out the building during non-school hours and may also "manage" the facility for the district.

Bush also has pledged to establish the Tribal School Capital Improvement Fund, which would provide $928 million in funding to repair and build American Indian schools, and to provide $310 million in funding into the Department of Education's "Impact Aid" Construction Program, which repairs and builds public schools located on or near military bases.

Teacher testing and accountability

By combining new and existing funding, Bush wants to develop a $2.4 billion "Teacher Training Fund" for states to train and recruit teachers and improve teacher accountability systems. He would also expand loan forgiveness plans for math and science majors who teach in high-need schools as well as increase funding for the Troops-to-Teachers program to recruit former military personnel into teaching.

Education tax breaks

The Texas governor would expand "Education Savings Accounts" by increasing the annual contributions limit from $500 to $5,000, and by allowing funds to be withdrawn tax-free to pay for expenses from kindergarten through college.

He would also establish a tax deduction for teachers, allowing them to deduct up to $400 in out-of-pocket classroom expenses.

College savings

Bush's plan calls for an increase in the maximum federal Pell grant available for first-year college students, from $3,300 to $5,100. The $5 billion component would make it possible for 800,000 students every year to enter college, the Bush campaign said.

Other

Bush would triple federal funding for "character education" and increase money for early reading programs. He would also establish a $1 billion math and science partnership fund for states, colleges and universities to strengthen K-12 math and science education.

Bush also supports transferring responsibility for Head Start from the Department of Health and Human Services to the Department of Education and expanding the role and research of the DoE in Head Start.

Cost

Bush's education agenda would cost $25 billion over five years.

CNN's Kate Snow, Candy Crowley and the AllPolitics.com staff contributed to this report

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Al Gore

Accountability and vouchers

Testing: Gore would encourage states to test their students, but he would measure progress based on a national test. States and school districts would be required to identify failing schools. If those schools didn't turn around within two years, they'd be shut down and reopened with a new principal.

Vouchers: "We need to invest more, and demand more; not aim too low, invest too little and drain resources away from public schools with private school vouchers," Gore has said.

Charter Schools

Gore's education agenda would triple the number of charter schools, and require schools to issue performance report cards to help parents select the right school for their child.

Class size

Gore would hire 100,000 teachers to lower class sizes to 18 students in the early grades. He also believes class size should be reduced to no more than 20 students per class in all other grades.

School repair and maintenance

In addition to a proposal to finish wiring every classroom to the Internet, Gore has also proposed additional aid to help communities rebuild and modernize school buildings. He claims his plan would provide federal tax credits and other financial support as incentives to help fund renovations in more than 6,000 public schools across the country.

Teacher testing and accountability

Gore would establish mandatory teacher testing for all new teachers and rigorous evaluations after granting teacher licenses. States must guarantee 100 percent of their teachers have licenses by 2004. He supports teacher merit pay and also wants $8 billion to recruit, hire and train 1,000,000 new teachers over the next 10 years. He has proposed tuition breaks for college students willing to teach at needy schools.

Education tax breaks

The vice president supports the creation of 401(j) Life-Long Learning Accounts. Employers and families could contribute up to $2,500 annually. The money could be withdrawn and used tax-free for education expenses or "qualified lifelong learning." The plan also includes extra tax credit matching 50 percent of the individual contribution.

College savings

Gore has proposed creating a National Tuition Savings Program to help families invest their money in special trusts, which help pay for their children's tuition at universities outside of their state.

Other

Gore's plan includes making voluntary preschool available to every 4-year-old and an increasing number of 3-year-olds. He also will expand funding for Head Start and Early Head Start.

Cost

Over 10 years, Gore's plan would cost $115 billion. He has proposed that the plan be paid for by an education trust fund financed with 10 percent of the budget surplus not dedicated to Social Security or debt reduction.

CNN's Kate Snow, Candy Crowley and the AllPolitics.com staff contributed to this report

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