7 News Features: Pres: Education

WSVN -- President Obama recently talked French fries and finances 101 with University of Miami students.

President Obama: "$44,000 without room and board?"

Jeremy McLaughlin, UM student: "Basically me, my life as a college student. How he can help me get through college out of debt or no debt at all."

President Obama says he has expanded Pell Grants to low-income students, and cut out the banks as middlemen for college loans.

President Obama: "And as a consequence, what we've been able to do is to provide millions more students assistance, lower or keep low interest rates on student loans."

But Republican Mitt Romney says the government needs to get out of the student loan business.

Mitt Romney: "The best thing I can do for you, and other young people graduating from University of Miami is to make sure when you get out of UM you have a job."

As for K-12 students Obama is in favor of rewarding student achievements.

President Obama: "A government has a role in this, but teachers must inspire. Principals must lead. Parents must instill a thirst for learning, and students you've gotta do the work."

The President's race to the top competition rewarded winning states with billions of dollars toward education policies he supports.

President Obama: "Some of the worst schools in the country have made real gains in math and reading."

Romney also believes in more accountability saying Florida is a role model for grading schools A through F. He says parents should be able to leave a school that is not performing.

Mitt Romney: "How do we get schools to be more competitive? Let's grade them. I propose we grade our schools so parents know which schools are succeeding and failing, so they can take their child to a school that he's being more successful."

Romney also believes in rewarding teachers who produce good students.

Mitt Romney: "We finally have to make sure that our schools are run for the benefit of the students. We put the students and the parents, and the teachers first, and the teachers union they're going to have to go behind."

Both candidates believe education needs to be reformed. If you would like to read their plans, you can find the links on our website.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

President Obama On Education:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/education

Mitt Romney On Education:
http://www.mittromney.com/issues/education