Santorum discusses government's role in education

Education and the role of the federal government were the topics of yesterday's discussion in which U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa. asked, and was asked, questions at State College Area High School.

One of the things he supports, but voted against includes school choice. School choice would provide parents with vouchers to defray the cost of education, whether it be private, parochial or charter schools, public schools with more stringent requirements.

"Charter schools work within the public school system and in the long run might do some of the things school choice is supposed to do," he said.

But establishing these schools must be done at a state level, Santorum said, because federal mandates tend to be counterproductive in education.

"What I think should be taught in State College is frankly irrelevant," he said. "But what the community thinks should be taught here is very relevant. We should always keep this in mind."

In some cases the problems afflicting school districts are really symptoms of larger social problems, Santorum said.

"These schools have to deal with people who have no values, who have no idea how to get an education," he said. "The problem lies in that community more than in the school."

One solution, Santorum said, could be boarding schools -- such as the Milton Hershey School in Hershey -- where disadvantaged youths can escape dysfunctional environments.

"What these schools do is lift kids out of this squalor where they can't learn and basically save their lives," he said. "Having more of these types of schools might be one way to provide more educational opportunity."

While most of the questioning came from high school students, they seemed unmoved by the nation's youngest senator, who said he wants to visit every school district in Pennsylvania.

"I think that many of them only see a politician," said Gary Owen, a social studies teacher. "At least that is what I have heard from them."

High school student Adam Burkholder said he does not agree with Santorum's anti-federal approach to education.

"I think it should not all be up to local communities," he said. "At least the federal government should play some role."

A more activist role was outlined by President Clinton in his State of the Union Address last month. Clinton called for technology funding and nation-wide standards among other things.

But Republicans on the Capitol Hill were not impressed with Clinton's approach, Santorum said.

"I think it was coolly received by Republicans," he said. "I think we are not going to get anywhere by federalizing this problem and imposing some dumbed-down standards."