American Presidents and Education.

Overview & Synopsis

The interest of U.S. presidents in public education has grown increasingly intense since World War II. This has been due largely to the nation's emergence as an international economic and political power, and a corresponding demand for an educated workforce. This paper surveys presidential administrations from Franklin Roosevelt to George Bush in terms of education policy and focuses on the educational leadership provided by individual presidents. The paper also considers the questions of whether education should be treated as a fundamental right of American citizens and whether there should be a constitutional amendment to that effect. (DB)