He has done what no other president has ever done, put education at the top of his agenda as he starts his new job. Most educators consider Bush's choice to head the Education Department, former Houston Superintendent Rod Paige, a good one. Bush got to know Paige, and educators got to know Bush, as governor of Texas. But Bush has also talked of penalizing failing schools. Some educators feel making education a national priority and having the benefits filter down to the state level could be challenging.
Education is left to the states by and large.
The proportion of total dollars eminating from the federal government is relatively small, but not insignificant. Educators have some advice for Bush. Bush plans to send his education agenda to Capitol Hill Tuesday. Get personalized traffic reports.