The News & Observer talked to two people who worked with groups involved in the state's education policy discussions to get some help in reviewing the candidates' education proposals. Terry Stoops is an education policy analyst with the John Locke Foundation, a Raleigh think tank that champions more parental choice as a way to improve schools. John Dornan is executive director of the Public School Forum of North Carolina, a nonprofit education think tank that tries to build a consensus for improving North Carolina's schools.

HOW MUCH INFLUENCE DO ELECTED LEADERS HAVE ON EDUCATION?

"I think it's more limited than people think," Stoops said. He said the governor is the most powerful elected official in North Carolina when it comes to education, because the governor appoints members to the State Board of Education.

Dornan added that candidates for governor typically have major education initiatives that will set the agenda for their administration. He pointed to early childhood education initiatives such as Gov. Mike Easley's More at Four program and former Gov. Jim Hunt's Smart Start.

WHAT CHANGES CAN BE MADE AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL THAT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON CLASSROOMS?

"Congress is going to have to reauthorize No Child Left Behind and when we talk to virtually every educator, NCLB and its testing requirements and standards is really the major thing driving schools, and there are a lot of calls to make the bill better," Dornan said.

Dornan added that construction is a major issue for growing urban counties.

Stoops said more needs to be done to recognize the different types of educational choices students need to be successful, such as vocational and charter schools.

WHAT ARE SOME TIPS FOR VOTERS ASSESSING CANDIDATES' PROPOSALS ON EDUCATION?

Look for specificity, Dornan said. What is the plan? Is there anything behind the slogan.

"Specifics that make sense instead of generalities and slogans," Dornan said.

Stoops said voters have to see whether candidates have done their homework on individual communities. He said voters should be wary of proposals that follow a "one size fits all" mantra.