The seven candidates for Tennessee governor who participated in a Thursday night Nashville forum largely agreed on the big topic of the night: education.
"We must have professionalism in the classroom," said state Sen. Jim Kyle, D-Memphis. "Teaching is a profession. It needs to be respected as such."
Most of the candidates on stage at Belmont University agreed that teachers, principals and superintendents need opportunities professional training to ensure all Tennessee students get a quality education.
Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, a Republican, recommended that principals have the chance to go to "principal leadership academies" and said the General Assembly is "on the right path" linking teacher tenure with student achievement.
"We need to recognize and reward excellence, and address those that are chronically ineffective," he said.
U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., said the way to become a teacher in Tennessee is "antiquated."
"We need to make it easier for highly trained and educated Tennesseans to go into the classroom," he said.
Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons said the state should also open up principal positions by making it easier for teachers and managers from the private sector to manage schools.
Democrat Mike McWherter agreed that teaching should be a more attractive position, but one thing he doesn't want to see is elected superintendents.
"The last thing Tennessee needs is another 165 politicians running our school systems," he said.
OTHER POINTSBill Gibbons (R): "Best and brightest" who commit to be teachers should be given full HOPE scholarships.Bill Haslam (R): Wants to be the "chief salesman for Tennessee" for job growth, must improve education to do it.Jim Kyle (D): Pre-K programs should be available to all students.Kim McMillan (D): Current higher education system "puts barriers and stop signs up and prevents you from getting your degree."Mike McWherter (D): BEP should be fully funded, as "it has proven results."Ron Ramsey (R): State needs competition in education with charter schools and home schooling.Zach Wamp (R): Early childhood reading very important, students should be reading proficiently by third grade.
Another topic most of the candidates agreed on was one mentioned by former state Rep. Kim McMillan, D-Clarksville. She said education and economic development should be connected, not unlike how Austin Peay State University has set up programs to train students for jobs at the new Hemlock Semiconductor plant in Clarksville.
"It takes a partnership," she said.
On the topic of higher education, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey called the state's funding system "backward." He said funding should be based on results, not enrollment, a point several other candidates reiterated.
Thursday night's debate was hosted by the Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education, which is headed up by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.
Republican Joe Kirkpatrick did not participate in Thursday's debate. Candidates were required to have raised at least $250,000 in their campaigns to participate in the forum.