Bank of Perry 6 minutes now past 11. Today's programming is made possible in part by The Advocates of Minnesota Public Radio contributors include the Bayport Foundation, which is supported by the Andersen Corporation. And good morning. Welcome to mid-day on Minnesota Public Radio. I'm Gary eichten critics often complain that one of the big reasons people don't seem to care all that much about politics is that political campaigns really don't address the issues that people care about well, there's an effort underway to try to deal with that criticism a series of citizens forums put together by the Star Tribune Katie catv, Minnesota Public Radio in the Minnesota Journal of Journalism Center series of forms is being held to find out what citizens want the candidates for Governor to address this year last week forums got underway with a discussion about education on one hand participants seem to complain that the state's education system simply hasn't meeting the needs of today's children and demanded that the next governor do something about that problem. But many also said the problem with the school's is that they're being micromanaged by the state. Well, that's our would like to call it like you to call. Then with your comments and suggestions on education. What education issues would you like to see the candidates for Governor address? They let you give us a call or Twin City area number is 227-6002 276 thousand if you're calling from outside the Twin Cities, you can reach his toll-free and that number is 1 800 to +422-828-227-6802 for 22828 1st at Minnesota Public Radio reports on the mixed messages and kind of questions that came out of last week's for. Form organizers invited a cross-section of people representing different classes in Geographic areas of the state to a teleconference on education at sites in St. Paul Duluth in Rochester education officials tried to explain the State's new profiles of learning program, which is a new set of graduation standards. The goal of the program is to develop a curriculum where students will not only learn a body of knowledge but also gain an understanding of how to apply the information in everyday life citizens asked a few questions about the program and then were asked to write questions about education for the gubernatorial candidates. The sponsoring news organizations will then use those questions to shape their coverage of the campaign citizens at the Rochester side clearly didn't have a good idea of how profiles of learning would change what happens in the classroom Gordon hold of Albert Lea says, the important thing is producing students were ready to go to college or to go to work. Our present system is being criticized because it's not turning out a good product profiles of learning is an attempt to change it. Do these got the governor candidates have any other additional ideas? How would you change the education system to turn out better product? But Bob Martin Oak of Plainview quickly took exception with the idea of school operating like a factory or male criminal IBM. Who is we forgotten the kid? The criticism is the universities aren't happy with the product turned out the businesses. The word educating them for a packing plant over in Albert Lea and they can't read the signs that say don't care. Dumb down these kids. They don't want nobody to feel Patricia ketterling is a retired teacher from Rochester and her concern is for the students at the other end of the spectrum is going to be punished by this system because they already are working at a high-level. They're trying to prepare themselves for getting into a good college and then they're going to besides that they have to do these 24 package besides their regular work officials tried to make the point that the new requirements could be incorporated into schools existing programs. Becky Hoffman of Rochester doesn't feel many of her fellow citizens believe that I can tell is an awful lot of confusion about the whole profile of learning. One of the big causes of confusion is that people are afraid that the state is going to micromanage their education system and that as I understand it really isn't case many of the participants of the Rochester site spoke of their distrust for asking the state to get too involved in running the local school system Wayne Brooks of Stewartville served on a school board and he says profiles of learning won't work. Even if it is a good program. I don't believe or even most teachers have the will the ability the time or the motivation to learn the new system. Which is part of a bigger problem that we have too many incompetent teachers and they could be incompetent because they just gon stay up. What will you do to make it easier for the school district to save up their teaching for the nine members of the Rochester group also want gubernatorial candidates to discuss how they better enforced truancy laws weatherall. None language classes should be taught in English and what the ideal class size is towards the end of their meeting. The Rochester citizens took a vote on whether profiles of learning should continue for said, yes 3 said no and to said they still didn't know enough about it. Even after three hours of discussion. I'm Brent Wolfe Minnesota Public Radio. Once again would like to add your thoughts on what education issues you'd like the candidates for Governor to address that we're going to be recording this program, and then we'll pass it on to the organizers of the citizens initiative. If you'd like to participate give us a call or Twin City area number is 227-6002 276 thousand. I'll try the Twin Cities 1 800 to +422-828-227-6102 for 22828. Like to add your voice to this discussion of what the candidates for Governor should be talking about in terms of education issues. We should know it by the way that besides the profile of learning discussion. Lots of other education related issues came up at these forums in Rochester the Twin Cities in Duluth some of the others are we asking schools to do too much that parents really ought to be doing what happens to kids who don't meet the graduation standards any innovative ways to fund education kind of second Minnesota miracle. If you will how should Educators be held accountable for the money that they are already receiving. Is there a fair way to help people who send their kids to private schools. How can we raise scores and districts were many students simply aren't doing very well should State should the state rather help students pay for post-secondary education and whether or not to the candidates support locally design programs things like Charter Schools. Those are some of the things that came up at these citizen forums. And again, if you'd like to add your comments, here's the number to call to 276 Thousand Oaks had the Twin Cities one 800-242-2828 or scholar is from Robbinsdale Joe. Thank you for calling in this morning. You're welcome your thoughts what the what should the candidates be talkin about? Well, I am actually a teacher on my lunch break right now. And so we discuss issues a lot in the in the teachers at Cafeteria on the one thing that that we've really noticed is that the teacher seem to be getting attacked. It almost feels like an attack from from the politicians store you just had where I didn't know if I didn't catch it was was saying how the teachers are incompetent, you know, that's really difficult to take considering. I've been through, you know, six years of education and have a master's degree that I'm incompetent, but I would like to see is that wasn't a politician by the way. Citizen regular citizen, but I would like to see the government in couraging parents to work with us more. We really fight parent apathy. It's very difficult and to get the politicians to call parents to work with us more and not put the blame on us or the blame on parents. But they hate we all need to be in this together to bring up those students course you think there's any practical thing that the political system could do to encourage more parental involvement. Really? I think if the politicians stopped blaming the teachers and saying we need to have more accountability to the system that to me sounds like you know, the teachers are doing something wrong and we really do struggle with a lot of demographic issues in Robbinsdale. We have a lot of low-income and and those parents stereotypically are are less. You know, they have less tied into the school in general because they didn't have a good school experience themselves. All right, but Joe, thank you very much. Appreciate the call Lawrence is on the line from Fridley. And what would you like to hear from the gubernatorial candidates? What education related issues? Would you like to see them address? Here addressed who is why the state can't commit to your own schooling. I think that is been proven to be a much more beneficial wave is hitting you over long-term now in terms of year-round schooling do you mean where kids would actually be in school all year or where the schools buildings would be open all year and kids with going to rotate through you can look at it either or I prefer prefer. The ones for kids are roughly nine weeks on 3 weeks off in the fall back of Houston. Minnesota politician uses the impact on communities in the second question related to I think a hard fact is that you have disparity in terms of how important education is in in society and you have some Family don't care about education While others do and tickly with the influx of immigrants into this country where you have kids who can't speak English in during the first grade. I do think there needs to be a multiple peer-to-peer river system that provides a foundation for kids that need to learn the basics and then another one for kids who've already their graduation or moving forward on performance as opposed to just thank you movie for free. Get thanks for call Lawrence. Where are collecting opinions. They're sour your opinion. Hopefully among them on what it is that you would like to hear from the candidates for Governor in Minnesota on education as part of a broader discussion citizen Forum involvement. That was supposed Together by The Star Tribune Katie catv, Minnesota Public Radio, Minnesota journalism Setter collecting a citizen opinion and collating it and then passing it on to the gubernatorial candidates the idea of being here to get the candidates to address issues that you actually are concerned with we are recording today's program and the folks who are running the Forum will get a chance to listen to what you have to say and add that to the mix. So we hope you'll be able to join our conversation to 276 thousand is our Twin City area number to 276 thousand outside the Twin Cities one 802-4228 to 227 6001 800-242-2828 next caller is from Minneapolis Mark Hi, how are you doing with education is so important and I would just add to the to thoughtful commenters earlier. I think dealing with a non subtle or the nun. I can't paint everything with a broad brush other subtle issues such as the nun English-speaking students sick when they talk about vouchers or comparison to school performance. It's very difficult. When you have a lot of the students are starting at a very different points in terms of just their your English skills. Let alone you have number of young children coming to don't even know their primary colors to kindergarten so it reflects some of the social and mental issue and health issues that the other families are dealing with and so I get concerned when some of the answers are pretty simplistic and they don't Look at how complex families and and individuals are today in terms of what issues to teachers have to deal with a lot of the solutions weather trousers are others for kids that are traditionally academically oriented or or more traditional students may make a lot of sense, but you're not going to have your behavioral problems necessarily going to some of the other solution schools that people have talked about in terms of either parochial private schools. They they don't end up staying there. Let's touch their sent back and I know how do we deal with that? Right in terms of in terms of because campaigns often do have to deal in fairly simple. Slogan so much but simple ideas. How could you can you can you condense what you're what you're saying here a little bit. I think the school has to be beyond the classroom have to think in terms of some of the supports. Is there going to be vital to achieving the outcomes to reflect the different kinds of conditions that the students either through their family or through their their own development are bringing to the educational setting must. I just focused on the classroom teacher and not recognize it turns it just like School counseling schools have shed their counselors because of fun. And is that really though? I waited to meet some of the academic standards as well. Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. Let's move on to another caller. Marry your turn. Go ahead place though. This is Mary Morin. I'm both a teacher in Minneapolis is currently on sabbatical and a board member in Robbinsdale School Board member. I've looked at the issue productivity and specifically what I would like to see Governor tutorial candidate. Give us one is a very clear Direction on what is what did they feel is most important in education? Part of the problem is that we have so many. Expectations that are given to classrooms and schools. It's a difficult to focus on academics. So that's part of the problem. Then the other part of it is if we have a clear Direction on what is expected then we will one spend more time on those kinds of tasks. One of the things that come out of international comparisons is that Although our students are in class in as much if not more than in other countries they spend A good part of that time maybe even as much as half on kind of if you want to characterize it as non core academic subjects. I'm so that's part of the the problem that exists. We're just asking schools to do too much and the other part of it is that once we decide on what we need to have teachers teaching classes and what is expected of students. We also do a very poor job of researching the best ways of teaching and I think that the discussion about them Whole language vs. Phonics is a perfect example there really should have been some group that the education system could look to in these are valid studies. This is the most effective way of teaching in any area would be qualified to comment on this group is it is the better are better than this one. I think that the money for research at this point according to one study. I've read we spend less than one tenth of a percent .08 of all the money spent on education is Santa research. If you were to compare that to the medical field, they spend about one to one and a half percent of all the money spent on Healthcare is spent in research. You're welcome. Where is from St. Louis Park Gym, what would you like to hear from the gubernatorial candidates? What issues? Should they be addressing in terms of Education? Thank you for taking my call other several issues. I like the quickly touch on I know that most people are genuinely obviously in favor of trying to get higher standards in the schools. But I I sent a lot of confusion about how you get those higher standards and I make my number one point would be that I Believe micromanagement by the government in this education industry is no more effective than it is in an industry is like foods are Automobiles and people have to seriously look at its at that fact and I think a lot of people think that somehow education is different but the fact of the matter is we lack competition and education and you know, if your previous caller talked about we need more research. Well, there's been plenty of research on whole language in at the core of that theory is the idea that students gas at words who had recent studies that have with technical equipment that shows that a good reader reads at every word and You got the National Council of teachers of English as of this moment still pushing whole language. So because of those agendas out there Gary, it's very hard. Is it to cut through that and I'd like to see these candidates try to lay the facts out on the table. And by the way among these facts are exactly where is the agenda coming from from all this and you know, I was very hard and it's someone like John Marti voted to delete a profile of learning this agenda for the profile is coming from certain segments of the educational hierarchy led by the Nea and quite frankly certain segments of big business. Where does that leave all the parents all their children? All the rest of us. We need an agenda driven by parents and children in the only way you're going to do that. Gary is having a real market for education and fine. I like to say it's a big deal in this campaign. I will tell you that a number of prominent legislator such a Centre generals and one of the reasons she supporting Norm Coleman and slip joint been since because she can pay What's not to understand this after we've come to her for years. So, this is a big issue Gary. Alright, thanks for your comments. Let's move on to another caller who is on the line here with some comments on what it is that Minnesota's candidates for Governor should be addressing this year in terms of Education. Again. If you're just joining us, this is part of a broader citizens initiative citizen form initiative. There were some of the first Forum was hell last week and those comments were or distilled into a series of proposed questions for the candidates. We're recording this program, and we will pass it on to the organizers of the citizens for him and and that can be added to the mix as well. So if you'd like to weigh in this is a great opportunity to do so to 276 thousand or one 800-242-2828. There was a collar on earlier from a teacher who indicated that one of the big issues is lack of Parental involvement and I am here to tell you that I would love to be involved with my school all day. If I could get a return telephone call from the teachers for my involvement in in programs. And I find that really frustrating that while I am out here wanting to really help and participate in my school. I can't seem to get any call backs, even though I do have a strong education background it would be more than willing to do anything to help out teachers because I know that like everybody they're pressed for time as second point in terms of perhaps what politicians could do to help I think that and I don't mean this in a negative way, but I think they need to get out of the political aspect of making education of political issue and leave it to the Educators and to the teachers in the school districts because those are the ones closest to the issues and a problem that are unique to each district and they're the ones that are alternate Lee going to have to solve the problem. I'll hang up and listen. Before you run Jane quick question for you. I think one of the reasons this has become such a big political issue is they are these test results that have come out with seem to indicate the kids just aren't learning what they're supposed to be learning wouldn't it be incumbent upon a candidate for governor to involve himself or herself in this issue given that apparent reality? Yes, but I don't think that the governor is going to be able to solve the test result issues. I do think that it has to do with parents and teachers but it's that an individual Grassroots level where the changes need to be made. Thanks for your call preciate it let's move on to another caller Amory. You're up next go ahead place. Hello. Yes, go ahead. I just turned off my car by accident are so sorry. And their principles I am amazed at what they're able to do and the responsiveness of we received. My son is one of that 15% needs phonics for his reading and within the same day that I got some test results back for the teacher called me. It's principal contact me and the reading specialist assessing him on Tuesday. My daughter is starting the standardized test today and I'm very anxious to see what they're going to be a teacher that in my book are fantastic. I can't be happier. The second thing is our family that has tried everything from both parents working full-time to me being at home. I now work part-time is very flexible hours and still we don't have enough hours in the day, but I would really like to see what these two things address buy some Governors. Number one. I think full time school is absolutely essential in our day in the life of learning by my two children as examples. I think is stupendous and we do all kinds of practice and field trips and everything else come along and I also own a small River with my family so I have that. Parents don't take long weekends, or I'm sure your brakes with her kids and I just can't help but see that you're around 3 week break would be much better the second component of that the nephew would studied in England for a year and it was so interesting that the kids will finish their school days. I don't want academics. They weren't the teachers were not expected to take her about behavior problems in school. The kids came to school they learned and then afterwards I played soccer they had a supervised coach out there. They were able to get their physical education. It wasn't his kids on the playground and after that he would come and help them do homework work or to play soccer or there is about an hour's time or teachers are available for doing homework. So when you went home you were able to have a family at home the same thing when we adults bring work home. It's a horrible work environment for a kid and I feel that way about homework. It's like this is something that can be done at school. Can participate and teachers can be available for tutoring. Okay, thank you for your call. We're talking this hour with you. Hopefully what we're doing here is soliciting comments from those of you listening. This program is being recorded and what we'll do with it is pass it along to the organizers of citizens Forum initiative. The idea here is that too often political campaigns really don't address the issues that are of concern to the people and so the idea was to solicit comments from citizens around the state things that do you would specifically like the gubernatorial candidates to talk about in their campaign this year. And today we're focusing on education. We're recording this program and will then pass it on to the organizers of the Forum. So if you'd like to dissipate great opportunity to do, so, give us a call 227-6002 to 76 thousand in the Twin Cities outside the Twin Cities one 802-422-8282 to 76000 or 1 800-242-2828 and we'll get to some more colors in just a second at least one in seven American couple struggles with infertility for many that condition is as troubling it all consuming as a catastrophic illness. The fertility race is a Minnesota Public Radio series that examines what infertility means to Modern America the project. Is it unique collaboration with the online news service MSNBC interactive. This is Steven Smith. I invite you to find out more by pointing your web browser to msnbc.com the fertility race broadcast on NPR and on the web at msnbc.com major funding for Minnesota public radio's documentary fund is provided by Phyllis paler in memory of Walter stremmel. There's a partly cloudy Sky forecast for most of the state today. There is a chance of snow for some widely scattered snow showers in northeastern Minnesota this afternoon highs today on the mild side mid-30s to mid-40s Twin Cities partly cloudy with a high today 4245. Right now around the area. St. Cloud is a sunny Sky 38 Rochester sunny in 34 Duluth sunny and 34° as well Houghton with a partly cloudy Sky 38 Fargo partly cloudy 32 Sioux Falls with a fair Sky 33 and the Twin City temperature is 38 degrees and skies are partly cloudy. Lots of listeners are on the line with their comments on what they like to hear the gubernatorial candidates comment on this year specifically in terms of Education. That's the issue. We're focusing on this our again, we're recording this program and will pass it along to the organizers of the citizens for him. That's it that's being held Sarah your comment. Please haven't gone to the public schools myself. I took a world history class and I never learned anything about the history of Africa at all other than European colonization, and it's interesting. Give me that in the 15th century most of the African American student. I speak to don't know anything about what was going on in Africa about the universities in Timbuktu. Thank origin and guile they don't know who is q Muhammad is but they know all about when the British came and broke down the society and took slaves in the reason why our students are doing poorly they have no self esteem in the school. They aren't being taught their true history African-American member of the community. I think it's just a matter of representation for a taxation. We need to take those tax dollars back and start our own school so we can educate our children properly and I can hear the average white person the suburbs thinking what does that matter will take your European child to put them in an Afrocentric school with their learning Mamie African history and see how their attitude changes would like to see the moon at Oriole candidates come out in support of what Different groups that we can create our own African centered schools where we can buy the true history or make the curriculum Fair teach the history of all people not just Europe most world history classes don't have any African history. They go way back in Europe back to Greece, but they don't do the same thing in West Africa where most of us originated in and it's very unfair. It's basically the educational system is Raising white people to think. Hey, we're the only ones that ever did anything and African people to think we never did anything to prove the point that disgusting didn't teach you anything. Well, would you like to see the gubernatorial candidates come out in favor of segregated schools. You think we should we should we stop being so concerned with mixing white students and black students in the rest. Not just to say but so that we can get our tax money back out of the general pool that we can do with it. What we like the other solution is to make the curriculum the fair to everyone to teach the history of all people not just Europeans like sir. Appreciate it move on to another caller from Worthington Carey before I I just want to tell you that I come from a long line of Educators both my parents were teachers. My husband was a teacher and my father was also in the administration and I think that the candidates need to realize that the general public is tremendously behind the brand standards. I think they need to realize that the teachers schools in that teachers unions goals are not necessarily the same as a general Minnesota public. To me the big backlash with the grad standards boils down to the teachers themselves don't want to be evaluated one of your other crawlers mentioned. There's no competition in in in teaching and it's true tenure rewards the very good and the very incompetent the same and even when we lived in Toulouse the UMD officials who tried to take on the tenure issues were quickly stifles because it's very difficult for teachers in the teachers union to be evaluated that is not something that they are used to so you would like to see the gubernatorial candidates come out in favor of or opposed to the profile of learning the new grad standards. I think they're wonderful. I think that the public has known for quite a few years that were just slipping in education and Patriots who evaluate their students everyday in classroom to evaluate their students also need to be subjected to evaluation. We can no longer carry the dead weight of of incompetent teachers at the same time right next to the very gifted and talented teachers standards and Play to have of the grandstanders will come from teachers themselves or people who have teaching degrees. It's very difficult for them and their product to be evaluated now. Thank you very much move on to another caller from out of time from st. Paul to Tricia. Go ahead Place karaoke candidates make statements. But also I'd love to lick her makeup plea for the stopping at thran anecdotal approach to education and people's problems and concerns that I am also a teacher and I listened to that first person who called in I believe from Robbinsdale. He said that teachers feel under attack and I believe that's a true. I'm I have a master's degree. I'm close to a PhD on the Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Minnesota, and I'm tired of being told I'm inadequate just as he he he mentions and then I believe a parent called in and said that they would she would like to be more involved, but she can't get return. Anecdotal thing I think doesn't help us. I can give a single and a dozen anecdotes for the number of phone calls. I've made homework parents haven't returned calls. Our parents have said what you have to understand. My child can't do his Japanese homework, which is what I teach because he had conflicts with hockey and I think we need to move off of that kind of level and maybe look at at 2 area that I think we need to address one is that it's a difficult for schools to be better than society as a whole and that schools are really sort of a reflection. Although we try to do a better job than what we see out there and we try to bring kids to higher levels in deeper thinking schools 2-hour reflection of what does go on in society and the demands that society makes on a classroom teachers time are absurd that the time that students are expected to released from my class for girls self-esteem group boys self esteem group African American Self Esteem group children who may be know somebody who has maybe thought about I think drug groups those sorts of Demands on our time really cut into the classroom day to the content area and it is very difficult to keep children focus on academics when they are sitting there with a slip waiting to get out of class to go to some sort of croup. One of the things I would like to see politicians talk about is a cessation of that sort of approach him to school at the therapy model and say that just maybe these issues are important and they should be taken care of and that can be taken care of but either before school or after school. I think if it's that important the child should spend time outside of the academic day addressing those issues. The second thing is is that I think in the true classical Greek definition there at there are four two professions Divinity law medicine and teaching and in the other three, we seem to have very clear expectations about wait what we expect in the people who practice those professions or who indeed professed them in education is a little gif And I think one of the ways that we could truly look at the quality of teachers would be in Minnesota to set a standard and say we're not going to continue to demand a world-class education on a beer budget. We are going to demand that our teachers have a 4-year content-area degree in history in Japanese in English or math and then they make an additional investment in graduate school for Education. Just as lawyers do just as doctors do and then together with that the public needs to be willing to pay this type of salaries for those people who have made that commitment or just to clarify here on the education standards what you're saying here is that the people who would be teachers should get a degree in something that they would be teaching stint into the University of Minnesota's credit. They have been moving along those lines where now it is necessary to go into a post-baccalaureate program in order to get the education credential and that is after receiving a four-year degree in your Content area but I think it's very important that teachers have the time to be reflective to know what their content area is rather than be expected due to do a minor in something and then education degree at the same time. I think that would make a difference but the public also has to be willing to pay for that kind of education teacher salaries working day. I'm I spent a lot of time in Japan and people love to compare our education system with that of Japan but the differences are market and not just in student test scores are the typical Japanese teacher teaches three classes a day. That's a full class load for a secondary teacher in Japan. The rest of the time is used for that teachers research that teachers on education to have the time to make parent contact. I'm in my I want to get to some other callers. Okay. Appreciate the call Patricia. If you're just tuning in what we're doing here is recording this program. There is a an initial That's been put together by the Star Tribune Katie catv, Minnesota Public Radio and the Minnesota journalism Center collecting citizens views on issues that they would like to hear the gubernatorial candidates address this year and 1st phorm was held up late last week. We're participating today recording this program and this information to be collated by the organizers of the forearm so that the candidates will have a better idea what citizens want to hear and what we're talking about today is specifically the education issue. So if you have some comments on that issue, give us a call things you'd like to hear the loom tutorial candidates address to 276 thousand in the Twin City area to 276 thousand outside the Twin Cities one 800-242-2828 and we're going to change gear shift gears over the noon hour will be talking about the Oscars. Of course tonight is Academy Awards night, and that will be the subject of our noon our program, but right Outback to education Ernie your next good place better place to talk at the last statement by Patricia my goodness group classification think of it to work in 3 hours a day and a good classroom space with adequate materials. We have tremendous scores. What bothers me is as a retired teacher and retired parents and light say to a six children who have phds and other graduate degrees. I've been astounded by the fact with all the money Minnesota has to give away back to taxpayers. We have classrooms with two teachers teaching in one room with desk crowded and space to space what really bothers me is to going to the building. I haven't had bad knees and the key for the elevator is on the second floor at the office. The buildings are so old place is so crowded. NFL me wonder why the kids don't learn so you'd like to see the unit or hear from the gubernatorial candidate some commitment to improve the facilities across education facilities across Minnesota. What is the 20% of the property is tax-free because it belongs at Church's federal government state government or nonprofit organizations. We can't pass Bond issues to build new buildings. How long has it been since Saint Paul Pastor Banda should have built buildings get we're overcrowded. We have people moving in Daily to work in St. Paul cuz that's wonderful jobs. Wisdom to see a hundred people in a short. Of time come in to the processing we have school just dedicated to bring it to help process new families. The district's do everything I can but we can't get the money if we're going to bond for a for a skating rink for professionals with boxes and all their air-conditioned and heated and everything else that television. Why can't we use the same state Bond money to build schools to educate the children so they can do a good job and you don't pay back their taxes. All right. Thank you. Honey State Bonnie is what I wish to see. Thank you, sir. Thank you. I appreciate it. Let's move on to Tracy who joins us from Duluth. Good morning. Good morning. I just want to see the the political candidates put down the the political Pawn of the teachers in the school system and stop, you know, using them to to fight each other with it. I think there's a whole lot of that going on and they had a plan to work with the school system and the teachers instead of against it as a practical matter. What does that mean? Go with the grad standards, but also make teachers a teaching job more desirable something that they get paid a higher salary for than what they get today has worked very hard at what they do and I think we need to be behind him 100% you know, it's it's ridiculous. I also am very much opposed the privatizing public schools in order to create competition within the school system because I don't Hardly have the time to go and meet with a teacher nowadays. Let alone going out to critique of school and make sure that it's going to be you know, good enough for my child. I would like to keep a public standard of schools and just shoot for the highest standard we can thank you, sir. Thank you by other caller is on the line wishing to add his voice to this collection of Citizen voices. The idea here is what would you like to hear from your Google tutorial candidates on education, What would you like to hear? My politicians are the politicians of Minnesota address the issue of vouchers. We've had a governor in office for a number of years. Now who is trying to push this thing through as a parent of for I've had Parents verbally abused my child by calling of bed pans in the front of the classroom in front of all the other students and we're talkin elementary-age kids. I've had the teachers arrested because they were aiding and abetting sex offenders and I would love to put my children in a private school education, but why can't how can I do that when I'm paying property taxes for the public school system and then I also have to turn around and pay for a private school education, which of course is not cheap. I call that dual taxation which in my opinion is against the law in this country. But for some reason the public school systems do have a monopoly they decide who is going to pay for what and we have to just do it. We have to follow along in my opinion. They need to really address this issue because more than anything else my love to take my kids and get them out of the public school system and put them in private education where I can choose the school and I can choose the value structure that they're going to be taught and not the the drugs and alcohol abuse and everything else that goes on in the school system Republican candidates support vouchers and presumably an expansion of the existing tax credit. Reduction Program or no help parents decide parents should be in control of where they put their kids in school. This the state should never be telling people you have to put them in public school in directly kind of what they're doing by saying you have to put them in public school because you have to still pay taxes you put in private school if you want to but you still got to pay taxes for the public school people to put your kids in private public school system in a couple more callers on here before we run out of time Scott first is that I think really critical in terms of our next Governor is who he is going to bring along as part of his team to address the education issue detention tends to focus on the governor, but it's going to be the people who work for him better than I get it get things done and probably do most of the work. So you'd like to hear a governor outline. Maybe those are going to hire for Education commissioner that sort of thing 2. They help parents in terms of schooling that encourage employees to take time off and go to their children school and I have my own job, but that's just not done. You know, I do is the bully pulpit there to get business on board was that the curriculum I think it's pretty important that teachers use the materials to teach the lessons, you know, the books and those kind of things to look at. You know, what is the best acrylic curriculum? What are schools using is it doing a job or some schools not able to afford adequate curriculum and let's do something about that. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Let's see Jody your comment place. What's public education is all about and what is society's interest in having an educated class of citizens right now to get wrapped up at things and what the parents interests are and what the children's interests are. I would like to hear that my ticket like what's inside his interests are and having educated to this right. Do you have a suggestion for them? Well, I think by Aretha. What's the side effects to get out of educated classes? I think it would help. Thanks. And on here quick before we run out of time to head Place. Absolutely incredible School District district 535 and I believe that I got an absolutely incredible education, but when I called the comments about today is your round school. I was driving to I'm at college now is driving school and I heard a woman comment that she would like to see some year-round schools be developed and I have seen a successful year round school front develops from the grant to implication. My mother was in charge of developing a year-round school program in a low-income School. Is a 3515 schedule where you have 15 days on 45 45 days on the children come back to school. They are not losing time during the summer for those students who fall behind during the for 45 days to get tutoring during the 15 on the teachers are. So much more excited about going back to school because they don't get burnt out we have to run but I appreciate your call. And so you're you're a big advocate of year-round schooling. Thank you very much, but we are out of time here, unfortunately, but what we'll do here with the recording of today's program is pass it on to the organizers of the citizens for him so that the folks who were able to get on the air will get their voice heard now, we invite you to watch Newsnight Minnesota on public television tonight for report on the citizens Forum on education that program airs at 7 on Kate PCA in the Twin Cities. And if you're outside the Twin Cities, check your local public television listing for broadcast. I'm also there's more on this available on the internet on the NPR website, which you can reach www.mpr.org www.mpr.org. Thanks, everybody who called specially those of you who I tried to call and didn't get through Virginia in the morning. I'm Ray Suarez President Clinton departs this weekend for a 6 Nation Tour of Africa designed to promote democracy trade and economic growth. It's the most extensive African trip ever taken by a US president and mr. Clinton is the first president to visit the region since Jimmy Carter in 1978 will look at the president's itinerary and US policy toward Africa on the next Talk of the Nation from NPR news. Talk of the Nation begins at 1 today over the noon hour. We'll talk Academy Awards time now for Garrison Keillor