To the Point

The State of Public Education in America

Though two years ago, both parties supported President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act, many teachers, parents and state education administrators now say thousands of children are indeed being left behind. There's general consensus that teachers are underpaid, classrooms are overcrowded and test scores, once the pride of the US, are abysmal, compared with much of the world. While at many schools, physical education and the arts have been dropped altogether, at others children are charged a yearly fee to play soccer or join the school band. So, why aren't we hearing more about education from either camp on the campaign trail? Guest host Diana Nyad speaks with education policy experts and state and federal Education Department officials. Making News: Fighting Intensifies in Sadr City The single deadliest attack in four months against American troops in Iraq took place just outside Fallujah yesterday. Seven Marines lost their lives, upping the military death toll of Americans to nearly 1,000. Today, in Sadr City, brought more casualties as insurgents attacked with mortar, grenades, and bombs. Jackie Spinner, who's in Baghdad for the Washington Post, says Iraqis fear a Kerry victory in November will prolong the escalating violence. Reporter's Notebook: National Geographic Issues Warning on Global Warming While it often sounds like a throw-away phrase, a benign, natural occurrence that doesn't really affect our daily lives, the threat of global warming is very real. So reports a four-year study of National Geographic, whose September issue reveals a deep and disturbing vision of our planet in the midst of an abrupt climate change. Editor Dennis Dimick warns the shift could change human, animal and plant life in dramatic ways.