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A big issue for parents was ignored in Wednesday's GOP debate
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There was a lot said during Wednesday nights GOP presidential debate, but Thursday morning, more people were talking about how education issues were ignored. - photo by Herb Scribner
There was a lot said during Wednesday nights GOP presidential debate. Candidates opened up about national security, foreign policy and taxation, according to The Atlantic, and spent a bulk of the three-hour debate sparring with each other.

But Thursday morning, more people were talking about how education issues like the cost of financial aid, college tuition rates and how the candidates hope to improve American education were rarely discussed, according to Politico.

None of the questions from the debate centered around education. And, more surprisingly, the Republican candidates only mentioned education in passing while talking immigration, defense and national security, according to Politico.

Education also appeared to be the victim when candidates directly attacked each other. Republican hopeful Donald Trump, who many say lost Wednesday's debate because of candidate Carly Fiorinas ability to corner him on certain issues, used Common Core and Spanish language learning to attack candidate Jeb Bush, whos long advocated for both of those issues, Politico reported.

Other candidates chose to knock education reforms and policies. For example, Dr. Ben Carson knocked President Obamas free community college plan, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker critiqued teacher unions, Politico reported.

This didnt sit well with students and media members across the country, who voiced their frustrations on social media following the debate.

But to be fair to the candidates, education wasnt an important issue for Republican voters in the 2014 midterm elections, according to a 2014 Gallup poll. Other issues like the economy, foreign affairs and immigration were more important among Republic voters, the poll said.

And, just because education wasnt mentioned in Wednesday's debate, it doesnt mean Republican candidates wont speak of education in the future, according to Aaron Kall, the director of the University of Michigans debate program.

In fact, Kall said that Bushs long-time support for Common Core opens up a lane for education to return to the spotlight.

Most Republicans have strong stances on education they can use in further debates, too. In fact, Eric Schulzke detailed the political opinions on education for eight GOP candidates, including Bush, Walker and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Educations return to the spotlight would sit well with political pundits and voters, according to The San Francisco Chronicles Michael Lombardo, who wrote before Wednesday nights debate that education is an important issue for everyday Americans whose children struggle with poor reading skills.

In fact, Lombardo cited a study that found children who cant read proficiently in fourth grade are more likely to drop out of high school. Because of this finding, Lombardo suggests the presidential candidates open up about education so parents can see where their childs future will be heading.

The American people deserve to hear how their presidential candidates intend to address the fact that our kids are going through school without adequate reading skills, Lombardo wrote. We need an honest and immediate conversation to ensure the brightest possible future for our country, and to allow these millions of struggling readers the chance that they deserve.
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