In preparation for Wednesday's debate, Al Gore will promote his plans to make dramatic improvements to public schools.

"This week, I'm going to be making the topic of education and how we can make dramatic improvements in our schools the top priority. I believe it should be the top priority for our country and during the next few days and in the debate on Wednesday night. I'm going to do my best to make education the topic of discussion." -- Al Gore

Yesterday, Gore met at his home with teachers, students and their parents. He described his plans to ensure accountability and high standards in teaching.

Gore also has a comprehensive education plan for life. It starts with universal pre-school, reforms classrooms, makes most college tuition tax deductible and promotes lifelong learning and skills training.

Part of Gore's plan invests in education to help create quality classrooms where children can learn:

• Testing for All New Teachers: The greatest in-school factor affecting student achievement is the quality of teaching. Gore would require testing for all new teachers to ensure that they are qualified and meet a national standard. Gore would raise teacher salaries in exchange for higher teacher standards and put a qualified teacher in every classroom by 2004.

• 100,000 New Teachers: Gore would work to finish hiring 100,000 new teachers nationwide to meet rising demand and reduce class size.

• Smaller Class Sizes: Research confirms that smaller classes in the early grades lead to higher student achievement, especially in the basics like reading and math. Gore's plan would reduce class size to an average of 18 students in the early grades to help children learn to read and master the basics for future academic success.

• New Schools and Modernized Classrooms: The average public school is 42 years old. The Department of Education estimates that 3.5 million students attend schools needing major repairs or replacement. Gore would work to modernize 6,000 public schools nationwide and make urgent repairs at 25,000 schools across the country. He would work to finish the job of connecting every classroom and library to the Internet.

• Safety, Discipline and Character First in Every Classroom: So that parents can attend school activities without fear of losing their jobs, Gore would extend the Family Leave law to small businesses and give families an additional 24 hours off per year. Gore would expand character and citizenship education to make it easier for parents to pass on values. Gore would work to ensure safe, educational after-school activities for millions of young people and strengthen and reform the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program to keep guns and drugs out of the nation's schools.