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Somebody call Ed in '08! (Assuming their phones are still connected.)

Education figured more prominently in yesterday's presidential debate than in perhaps any other exchange between the candidates.  You can read a brief analysis of Obama's and McCain's comments here and a full transcript here.

The candidates sparred over vouchers, but both professed a soft spot for early childhood education. 

McCain and Obama both invoked DC schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee in their arguments for and against vouchers.  (McCain supports vouchers; Obama does not.)  According to some intrepid journalists and bloggers, McCain's claim that Rhee supports vouchers is overblown.  Rhee's own office issued a statement to clear up the matter--sort of.  To quote the Washington Post:

"Spokeswoman Dena Iverson said in a statement that Rhee and Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) 'strongly believe that all families in the District of Columbia must have access to excellent public school options.' But the chancellor 'disagrees with the notion that vouchers are the remedy for repairing the city's school system,' Iverson said."

The debate on early childhood education was less fractious, with both candidates agreeing on its importance--though McCain's comments suggest the devil will be in the policy details. 

As it happens, federal support for early childhood is an important part of the Learning First Alliance's new statement on the federal role in K-12 education.  The statement, which summarizes the collective wisdom of some 10 million people who work in and for public schools every day, offers a new administration and Congress guidance on how best to create the conditions for all students' success.

The public education community is eager to work with the next president on strategies for making this happen.

Photo from AP Photos