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Read the archive   of Wattenberg's   syndicated column     The New Russia For many decades the United States and the Soviet Union were two nuclear-tipped Cold War adversaries. When the Cold War ... more Science and the Soul Gene therapy, stem cells, cloning: Are we coming closer to controlling the fundamental code of human existence? And is ... more   Changing Our Schools main page Changing Our Schools Aired 9/5/2002 Demands for education reform are nothing new in America, but two recent developments may lead to more than just debate. In January 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the No Child Left Behind Act, requiring so-called "high stakes" standardized testing in reading and math for grades 3-8. Five months later, the Supreme Court upheld the use of vouchers to help pay tuition at private schools, secular and religious, in Cleveland, opening the door for more voucher programs nationwide. Critics question whether either vouchers or standardized testing can solve the deeply ingrained problems of America’s most troubled schools. Among other options: charter schools, smaller classes, better paid teachers, home schooling. What reforms will give students and parents the biggest bang for their buck?   Read the full transcript   Chester Finn     former assistant secretary of education in the Reagan administration, now the John M. Olin Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, and author or coauthor of 13 books on education, including "Charter Schools in Action: Renewing Public Education"   Andrew Rotherham     Director of the 21st Century Schools Project at the Progressive Policy Institute, and co-editor of A Qualified Teacher in Every Classroom: Appraising Old Answers and New Ideas. Originally Aired: 9/5/2002     Be sure to also check out: Here are some previous Think Tank programs that may be of interest. Social Policy with Karl Zinsmeister   aired 6/15/2006 Is There a Worm in the Apple?   aired 10/7/2004 The Language Police/Textbook PC   aired 12/4/2003 Send us your thoughts Think Tank is made possible by generous support from the Smith Richardson Foundation, the Bernard and Irene Schwartz Foundation, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, the John M. Olin Foundation, the Donner Canadian Foundation, the Dodge Jones Foundation, and Pfizer, Inc. ©Copyright Think Tank. All rights reserved.     Web development by Bean Creative.