Bush, Kennedy Work Together on Education

W A S H I N G T O N, May 3 -- In further proof that politics makes strange bedfellows, proud conservative President Bush and unabashed liberal Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., have become allies in the battle to reform education.

The Senate today took up an education reform bill that, among other things, seeks to improve student performance, give schools more leeway in spending federal funds and provide more money for teacher training. Following weeks of negotiations, Kennedy and Senate Democrats announced Wednesday they had reached compromise with the administration on a "basic framework" for education reform, a centerpiece of the Bush campaign agenda.

"We have developed a simple program to provide resources and reform and accountability in these areas," Kennedy said today on ABCNEWS' Good Morning America. "It sounds like a simple idea but it hasn't been done. And President Bush is right there in support of that concept. The Democrats are there and we are working together to make a difference."

Vouchers Dropped

Bush and Kennedy, ranking Democrat on the Senate Education Committee, have joined forces on the issue after a proposal on vouchers — which would have let parents use federal aid to send their children to private schools — was dropped from the bill.

Conservatives bristled after House and Senate committees stripped the plan to offer a $1,500 voucher for parents of children in failing public schools to put toward private school tuition.

The administration reacted mildly to defeat of vouchers, which had been a central element of the president's plan.

"We will continue to make the case for private school choice in order to expand options to the maximum extent," an Education Department spokeswoman said.

Bush conceded in advance the voucher provision was doomed to defeat.

"I'm a realist. I understand that. It doesn't change my opinion, but it's not going to change the votes, either," he told a group of regional reporters. "There are people that are afraid of choice."