Bush's other proposal for higher education is for what he calls "national science scholars." The program would cost $5 million next year, and award up to $10,000 for college tuition to students who excel in math and science in high school.

Pre-College Programs

Most of Bush's educational proposals focus on pre-college education. Among them are the following:

.A "merit schools" program, which would provide $100,000 grants to schools that have shown improved educational performance and reduced drop-out rates. Price: $250 million.

. An award of $5000 for approximately 25 outstanding teachers from each state every year. Price: $8 million.

. Funds for the founding of "magnet schools," which would excel in a particular subject, and would attract students from that area. Price: $100 million.

. An "Alternate Teacher Certification Program" that would let uncertified but qualified people teach in an effort to ease the teacher shortage. Price: $25 million.

. Funding for educational research. Price: $13 million.

. One-time grants for schools seriously affected by drugs. Price: $25 million.

. A literacy program for adults. Price: $3 million.

. A program for the education of homeless children. Price: $3 million.

Dean of the Graduate School of Education Patricia A. Graham said in an interview yesterday that Bush's programs did not address some of the fundamental issues in education.

Graham said that children who are hungry, who do not sleep well because of poor living conditions or who are in poor health will inevitably find it difficult to learn.

"We need a comprehensive children's policy that will give children a better safety net," Graham said.

Graham said she believed the merit schools program was a good idea but that problems might arise in defining what "merit" is, since schools in different regions of the country may have different needs and goals.