Despite attacks from liberal Democrats that President Bush is not the "education president" he claims to be, Bush says he wants to revamp the nation's higher education system.

"Because the foundation of any nation is the education of its youth, Republicans are constantly looking to improve the system," said Joseph Waldholtz, state executive director of Bush/Quayle '92.

"The Democrats just want to pour money down the throat of the system -- it won't work," Waldholtz said, adding that higher education deserves time and care, not just money.

Democrats have prided themselves on delaying legislation that would call for greater accountability, he said.

In April 1989, Bush transmitted to Congress the Educational Excellence Act of 1989. The bill rewarded educational achievement and promoted greater flexibility, Waldholtz said.

"The bill targeted funding for needy students and demanded greater accountability -- but the do-nothing Congress has done nothing," he said, adding that the 1989 bill still hasn't been voted on.

Education is one of Bush's top domestic priorities, Waldholtz said.

Because Bush considers himself a long-time advocate and force in improving higher education, he wants to build on the nation's existing higher education system rather than restructure it.

Bush has been trying to pass another educational reform bill for more than a year.

America 2,000 is a strategy for reaching the nation's educational goals that supports ideas for merit pay and special recognition.

"The president feels that the vast majority of teachers are good teachers," he said. "He simply wants the federal government to serve as a catalyst for education reform, spearheading research on innovative techniques and curriculum."

Bush wants the nation's education system to provide the necessary leadership to give children the best education possible, Waldholtz said.

"The president also wants parents to have more choice on what schools their children go to," he said.

The education system needs to be reformed because American students are not performing up to their potential, Waldholtz said.