Education and Training

President Bush has proposed a mix of ideas that would help train workers of all ages and assist students who attend college directly after high school. First, he proposes to reform the Perkins Act, which provides vocational training, renaming it as the Secondary and Technical Education program and setting up a required curriculum which includes courses in English, math, science, and social studies. Bush would also provide funding for community colleges to train workers for jobs which are currently in demand in their local areas. To help students gain access to a college education, Bush would help low-income children with the cost of Advanced Placement exams so they can earn college credit while in high school and provide an additional Pell Grant award for eligible students who take rigorous courses in high school and then attend college full-time. Additionally, low-income students studying math and science in college would be eligible for $5,000 grants. This program would be paid for by placing new restrictions on the Pell Grant program, such as limiting the receipt of a Pell Grant to eight years for Bachelor degree candidates and four years for Associate degree candidates. Finally, Bush has called for the end of 'legacy' admissions, which can give an edge to children whose parents attended college.

Senator Kerry has proposed a College Opportunity Tax Credit, which would provide up to $4,000 for every year of college. The credit would provide 100% of the first $1,000 spent on college tuition and fees and 50% of the remaining cost. Unlike the existing post-secondary education tax credits, the College Opportunity Tax Credit would be refundable in order for those with limited tax liability and those who receive other credits can take full advantage of the credit. His second proposal would provide an opportunity to obtain a four-year college degree in return for volunteer service to the community. Under this proposal, a person who volunteers for two years would earn the equivalent of their state?s four-year public college tuition. A person volunteering for one year would earn two years of college tuition. For those who wish to serve but do not want to go to college, this money could be used for job training, business capitalization, or a downpayment on a home. Volunteers who have already attended college could put the award towards the repayment of a college loan. Senator Kerry aims to have 500,000 participants in this program each year. Third, Kerry has announced his intention of expanding the GEAR UP program, which helps first generation low-income students to attend and complete college. Finally, Kerry proposes to create an "I Have a Dream" Scholarship, which would provide $1,000 for students to participate in early intervention programs before attending college in order to increase their chances of success.