Next question: Studies show benefits of early childhood education. What is your view on this and how do you prioritize?
Lawhorn: Focus on age 3-5 and recognize their strengths and weaknesses. Put more into the system by cuttting number of superintendents.
Stephens: We cut education down to the bone. What do you expect? Make education No. 1 in your state. Early childhood is the foundation. You can't cut corners, or it will come back to haunt you.
Fisher: our legislature just passed biggest budget and 60 percent of it goes to education. But there is a role for parents. Best education comes from responsible parents.
Joe Exotic: Pre-K is sometimes used as a baby sitting service. The problem is not funding its the drugs and alcohol and we need to teach the parents to be better parents.
Jones: Despite more funding, we still need to work with educators to find solutions to problems. Make sure we have the right level of funding.
Powell: Move responsibility back to the local level. Too many state rules in education. Apply that to early education as well so parents and teachers are partners.
Edmondson: Last 8 years, we've been starving pre-k education. Next governor will have to get back to ground zero on education.
