Schools key, Cheney tells Marietta H.S.

by Erin Senff
THE POST

About 1,500 students and residents filled Marietta High School yesterday afternoon to listen to Dick Cheney describe his view of the future of America.

Cheney, Texas Gov. George W. Bush's running mate for the 2000 presidential election, explained parts of the republican platform-the military, Medicare, Social Security and taxes.

But he devoted most of his half-hour speech to education.

"(Education) touches everyone's lives," Cheney said.

He said he believes there are too many areas in the country where the educational system is failing.

"We are assigning those children (who cannot read) to a lifetime of failure," Cheney said.

He said the first priority of his administration, if elected, would be to revamp the educational system.

Under the republican plan, state and local officials would give annual tests monitoring students' progress, Cheney said. Schools would be held to high standards and would be accountable for test results.

"The key is results," he said.

Although Cheney said he believes in local school control, the federal government will become involved with schools that continue to fail the tests. If schools do not pass after three years, they might lose their Title I funding, a federal program designed to offer extra educational services to help students achieve high academic standards.

Cheney said he does not want to see the federal money wasted. If a school fails, the money would be given to the parents to decide where to send their children. The parents could use the money at their discretion - in the form of vouchers, charter schools or private schools.

"I'm not advocating vouchers - that's your call," he said.

U.S. Congress candidate Mike Azinger, R-Marietta, said Cheney's plans for education will have a positive effect on the Appalachia area because it will allow for options.

He said vouchers might not be feasible in very rural areas, but charter schools might be a possibility.

"Anything that brings competition in schools is good," Azinger said.

The event gave many students a chance to become active in the political arena.

Katie Perine, a senior at Wood County Christian High School in West Virginia, said she is glad she had the opportunity to attend.

"It caused more awareness among students," she said.