Presumptive presidential nominees Barack Obama (D) and John McCain (R) have released more details about their education platforms in recent days, with both candidates making technology a focal point of their plans.

However, there are stark differences in their proposals that reflect deeply different philosophies about the government's role in education.

McCain favors federal funding for virtual schools and online courses as part of a larger focus on school-choice initiatives—including private school vouchers for low-income families. Obama, on the other hand, wants to invest more federal money into research and education for science, math, and technology.

McCain revealed details of his education plan in a speech before the NAACP, the nation's oldest civil rights organization, on July 16. He said his plan focuses on strengthening the country's schools through empowering parents and teachers and providing equality of school choice.

"For all the best efforts of teachers and administrators, the worst problems of our public school system are often found in black communities," he told the NAACP.

McCain added that he supports the Opportunity Scholarship that is offered in Washington, D.C., and uses public money to give private school vouchers to low-income families. Obama opposes private school vouchers.

"Too many of our children are trapped by geography and by economics in failing schools," states the McCain campaign's web site.

Details of the Arizona senator's education plan appeared on his campaign web site in conjunction with his July 16 speech.

According to the site, McCain plans to target $500 million in existing federal funds to build new virtual schools and support the development of online course offerings for students. The plan allots $250 million for states to build virtual math and science academies and another $250 million for digital-passport scholarships.

"Low-income students will be eligible to receive up to $4,000 to enroll in an online course, SAT/ACT prep course, credit recovery, or tutoring services offered by a virtual provider," the plan states.

Obama also recently posted more details about his education policies on his campaign web site, outlining his plan to invest in the research and development of science, math, and technology education.

"We currently make inadequate investments into researching and developing better educational tools and methods," the plan states, noting that less then seven-tenths of one percent of the $400 billion spent on education annually is spent on research and development. "As president, Barack Obama will double our investment in early education and educational [research and development] by the end of his first term in office. Part of this investment will involve [a research and development] program for improving science education."

The plan also notes that while jobs in science, math, engineering, and technology fields have increased, the number of students receiving higher-education degrees in those fields has declined.