Thomas Jefferson was one of the main architects of that famous "new world" state which rejected the rule of kings and queens in favor of a government by the people. He argued vigorously that in order to make such a governmental structure work, a strong system of public education was a basic prerequisite. Given the various problems which have plagued the nation's system of public education throughout history, it is critical that all candidates for U.S. president address a number of crucial issues about American education. This article presents seven questions which reporters could use in debates or interviews and individual citizens or educators could use when they encounter a candidate on the campaign trail.