(With convention approaching editorial writers want to hear more specifics on education)

As the presidential nominating conventions approach, editorial writers and others are taking note and wondering why education is remaining so far in the background. Today's Washington Post gave credit to Democrat Barack Obama for paying a bit more attention to the topic, including an emphasis on early childhood education . It also credited Republican John McCain for outlining more of his views to the public in his acceptance speech before the National Association of Colored People.

But the editorial asked a question on the minds of educators, advocates and citizens everywhere -- where are specifics, and where are proposals for sweeping change? And why isn't the public hearing more of them?

Eduwonk weighed in today with a bit of advice from guest blogger Richard Whitmire of USA Today, an editorial writer who also contributes to Education Election , which is monitoring coverage of the candidates on education issues.

And blogger Alexander Russo, meanwhile, who writes the This Week in Education blog, has reminded interested parties to keep an eye on Ed Challenge for a Change , which will be convening a forum at the Democratic Convention in Denver to highlight their own push for a new Democratic agenda around education issues.