2008 Presidential Candidates on: Education

[EMUJeff]

In an attempt to help us all become more informed citizens in regards to the upcoming November 4th, 2008 Presidential election and with the start of the general campaign upon us I will present some threads on specific topics. They will include some quotations with sources. These are chosen from the non-partisan group ontheissues.org. In each of the 24 threads one issue will be highlighted with a rotating order of candidate presentation for the major candidates nominated by parties or expected to have impact on the election. Wherever possible, we will quote the candidate over time so any changes in opinion are notable.
At this time they include Senator John McCain (Republican), Senator Barack Obama (Democrat), Representative Bob Barr (Libertarian), Cynthia McKinney (Green), Ralph Nader (Independent), and any other candidate who is registered in enough states to carry a majority of the Electoral college (Alan Keyes on the Constitution Party ticket may be eligible later as the party is in 14 states and counting).
This thread's topic: Education

EMUJeff

[EMUJeff]

Senator John McCain
Teaching creationism should be decided by school districts

Q: Do you believe creationism should be taught alongside evolution in the nation's schools?

No, I believe that's up to the school districts. But I think that every American should be exposed to all theories. There's no doubt in my mind that the hand of God was in what we are today. And I do believe that we are unique, and I believe that God loves us. But I also believe that all of our children in school can be taught different views on different issues. I leave the curricula up to the school boards. Source: 2007 GOP debate at Saint Anselm College Jun 3, 2007
Believes in evolution, but sees the hand of God in nature

Q: Do you believe in evolution?

McCAIN: Yes.
Q: I'm curious, is there anybody on the stage that does not agree, believe in evolution?
[TANCREDO, HUCKABEE, and BROWNBACK raise their hands, indicating that they do not believe in evolution].
McCAIN: I believe in evolution. But I also believe, when I hike the Grand Canyon and see it at sunset, that the hand of God is there also. Source: 2007 GOP primary debate, at Reagan library, hosted by MSNBC May 3, 2007
Against nationally imposed standards & funding strings

Q: Should federal money be linked to how well students perform on national or statewide tests? A: I do not favor nationally imposed standards or federal funding strings. State and local education agencies should be responsible for developing & enforcing high academic standards. I don’t believe we should penalize students by taking away limited education dollars according to federal dictates. Such strings would invariably require states to spend even more money on federally imposed bureaucratic requirements-money that would be better spent in the classroom. I propose sending education funding directly to classrooms rather than having it siphoned off by federal and state bureaucracies. If this funding flows to classrooms that continue to fail, the state should have the authority to allow students to use that funding directly for programs that best meet their academic needs. Empowering parents and students through educational choice and competition is the surest path to academic excellence.
Source: Associated Press Feb 23, 2000
Teach virtues in all schools

I walked into a charter school classroom in Phoenix. On the desk was a children’s book of virtues. The teacher was teaching the virtue of the month, which happened to be the importance of telling the truth. We need to inject that in all of our charter schools and in schools all over America. I would provide the much needed tax breaks that are necessary to encourage them. I would certainly make them part of any voucher program, a test voucher program which I would not take out of education funds.
Source: Phoenix Arizona GOP Debate Dec 7, 1999
Enlist retirees for tutoring

McCain wants to create a pool of military veterans, retirees and others who would tutor students in math, science and English. “You really need to have a lot more people helping kids get their education,� McCain said. Tutors can help reinforce the message that education is important and give students the support they need to succeed, McCain said. If tutors aren’t available in some neighborhoods, the Internet may be able to link them with students, he said.
Source: Associated Press Nov 22, 1999
Good teachers should earn more than bad lawyers

Q: How can we attract the best and the brightest teachers, given the current salaries? A: I don’t see why a good teacher should be paid less money than a bad senator. It’s important that we have merit pay for teachers, that we have teacher testing, that we do everything we can to motivate young men and women to enter this profession. There’s a whole generation that’s retiring. It is unconscionable that the average salary of a lawyer is $79,000 a year and the average salary of a teacher is $39,000 a year
Source: Republican Debate at Dartmouth College Oct 29, 1999
Decisions on teaching evolution should be made locally

On teaching evolution in schools, McCain says the decision should be made at the local level.
Source: Bruce Morton, CNN Aug 27, 1999
Help unqualified teachers find other lines of work

McCain feels that each and every child in every classroom deserves a teacher who is qualified and enthusiastic about teaching. “Some people just aren’t meant to be teachers, and we should help them find another line of work. Because if teachers can’t teach, our kids can’t learn.�
Source: McCain for President web Site Jul 2, 1999
Supports tax-free savings accounts for education expenses

McCain co-sponsored the Education A-Plus bill in 1997 (which Clinton vetoed) and again in 1999, to allow parents to open tax-free savings accounts for their children’s educational expenses - including tutoring, computers, and tuition.
Source: McCain for President web Site Jul 2, 1999
Supports “Reading Excellence�; and rewarding good schools


McCain’s voting record on education:
1998: Supported the Reading Excellence Act, to combat illiteracy, promote adult education, and strengthen teacher preparation.
1989: Co-sponsored the Educational Excellence Act , to recognize and reward schools, teachers, and students for their outstanding achievements; enhance parental choice; and encourage the study of science, mathematics, and engineering.
Source: McCain for President web Site Jul 2, 1999
Supports at-risk programs; homeless ed.; anti-drop-out ed.


McCain’s voting record on at-risk education:
1998: Co-sponsored the Child Nutrition Act, to create enrichment programs for low-income and at-risk children.
1991: Funded educating homeless adults and family literacy programs.
1990: Supported Dropout Prevention Programs legislation, and secured funding for Project Prime to help reduce the dropout rate for minority students.
1998: Supported amendment focusing on the unique dropout problems facing Hispanic students.
Source: McCain for President web Site Jul 2, 1999
Internet access, with filters, at every school & library

McCain seeks high-speed Internet access for every school, but suggested requiring filtering software for all public school and library computers as a way to keep children from potentially harmful Internet sites.
Source: Associated Press Jun 14, 1999
Merit pay & competency testing for teachers

Also promoted merit-based pay for teachers, calling higher teacher salaries an “urgent necessity.� But he added that teachers should be tested for competence periodically and fired if they don’t meet certain standards.
Source: Associated Press Jun 14, 1999
Ed-ACT Bill: college plans; language proficiency


[McCain’s proposed Senate bill], Educating America’s Children for Tomorrow (Ed-ACT), would:
Return control of our children’s education to parents, teachers, and local communities
Help schools hire and retain quality teachers
Provide more opportunities for disadvantaged children
Increase parents’ options to save for their children’s higher education
Encourage proficiency in English plus other languages in order to increase our competitiveness in the global marketplace.
Source: www.mccain2000.com/ “Position Papers� 5/24/99 May 24, 1999
John McCain on School Choice

Place parents & children at the center of education

We must fight for the ability of all students to have access to any school of demonstrated excellence. We must place parents and children at the center of the education process, empowering parents by greatly expanding the ability of parents to choose among schools for their children.
Source: Campaign plan: "Bold Solutions for Economic Prosperity" Feb 3, 2008
We need more choice and competition in education

schools, some have failed, but they're competing with the public schools, and the level of education is increasing. In New York City today, there are some remarkable things happening under Mayor Bloomberg, who has done marvelous work with an educational system that was clearly broken. Those can be examples of a way to improve education, provide choice and competition, and give every family the same choice I and my family had, and that is to send our child to the school of our choice.
Source: 2007 Des Moines Register Republican Debate Dec 12, 2007
Charters, homeschooling, & vouchers are key to success

Q: How can we improve the quality of public schools in this country?

A: Choice and competition is the key to success in education in America. That means charter schools, that means home schooling, it means vouchers, it means rewarding good teachers and finding bad teachers another line of work. It means rewarding good performing schools, and it really means in some cases putting bad performing schools out of business. I want every American parent to have a choice, a choice as to how they want their child educated, and I guarantee you the competition will dramatically increase the level of education in America. And I applaud our former Governor [Jeb] Bush for the great job he's done on education in Florida and America. Source: 2007 Republican primary debate on Univision (http://www.ontheissues.org/2007_Univision_GOP.htm) Dec 9, 2007
Local charters are the best Arizona schools

Q: To combat the teachers unions you deplore, should we have federal standardized tests?
A: You would agree with that if you believed that the power of the teachers unions cannot be broken. The teachers unions in my state fought tooth & nail against charter schools. Yet we prevailed and the best schools in my state happen to be charter schools. I believe that it’s a serious mistake to allow some bureaucrat in Washington to decide about the standards to be set by the people of the state of Arizona.
Source: GOP debate in Los Angeles Mar 2, 2000
Let states decide if they link vouchers to student testing

McCain supports a program of federally financed vouchers, but states would decide individually whether to use standardized tests to make high-stakes decisions about who could get the vouchers.
McCain’s proposal would create the most ambitious voucher experiment yet, spending $5.5 billion over three years to present one million students with vouchers of up to $2,000 annually.
To counter the argument that vouchers siphon money from public schools when students leave, McCain would create a new source of financing: the tax money now spent as corporate subsidies.
The senator has yet to define how the vouchers would be awarded, but he has said the poorest children in the worst schools would be immediately eligible.
McCain’s voucher proposals would probably face stiff opposition in Congress. Not only would the industries targeted by McCain fight to retain their share of subsidies, but the House, as recently as last fall, declined to consider a voucher proposal.
Source: New York Times Feb 29, 2000
Use sugar, oil, and ethanol subsidies to finance vouchers

Q: How much power should the federal government have over state education? A: Choice & competition are the key to the future of education in America. Students in America rank at the bottom in the most disciplines such as physics & chemistry. We should try charter schools all over America. I would take the gas and oil, ethanol and sugar subsidies and take that money and put it into a test voucher program over three years to be used in every poor school district in every state in America.
Source: GOP Debate in Johnston, Iowa Jan 16, 2000
Tax breaks for charters - not from public school funds

I walked into a charter school classroom in Phoenix. On the desk was a children’s book of virtues. The teacher was teaching the virtue of the month, which happened to be the importance of telling the truth. We need to inject that in all of our charter schools and in schools all over America. I would provide the much needed tax breaks that are necessary to encourage them. I would certainly make them part of any voucher program, a test voucher program which I would not take out of education funds.
Source: (Cross-ref from Education) Phoenix Arizona GOP Debate Dec 7, 1999
Vouchers & charters will improve our school system

We have to have choice and competition in our schools in order to improve our school system, including charter schools, including a test voucher program that would be paid for with ethanol subsidies and with sugar subsidies. And in order to make that system work, the test voucher program throughout America, we have to have good teachers, and I would argue that merit pay, rewards for good teachers and helping bad teachers find another line of work is the way we must go about it.
Source: Republican Debate at Dartmouth College Oct 29, 1999
Nationwide test of school vouchers

Our children deserve the best education we can provide to them, whether that learning takes place in a public, private or parochial school. It’s time to give middle and lower income parents the same right wealthier families have -- to send their child to the school that best meets their needs. It’s time to conduct a nationwide test of school vouchers. It’s time to democratize education.
Source: Candidacy Declaration Speech, Nashua NH Sep 27, 1999
$5B program for 3-year test of school vouchers

McCain proposed a school voucher program to offer education opportunities for disadvantaged children, paid for by eliminating $5.4 billion worth of subsidies for ethanol, sugar, gas and oil. Under McCain’s three-year test program, disadvantaged children would receive vouchers worth $2,000 a year. The money would be used to offset the costs of attending any school chosen by the student or parents. “We shouldn’t have special interest giveaways at the expense of our neediest children,� McCain said.
Source: Mike Glover, Associated Press Jul 29, 1999
Tax-funded vouchers for private schools or charter schools

McCain’s platform calls for a school voucher program that would give tax money to middle- and lower-income families to send their children to private schools. And he praised charter schools - publicly funded schools that often serve a specialized curriculum and operate free from many government mandates.
Source: Associated Press Jun 14, 1999
Shift policy-making from bureaucrats to parents

McCain knows we can save public education if we “have the courage to do more than placate the defenders of the status quo.� McCain [supports] more money reaching our classrooms, increased financial flexibility for parents, greater choices for families, and well-trained teachers. He [opposes] Washington bureaucrats and public education unions dictating education policies. He believes in letting parents, educators, and local communities make the important decisions about our children’s education.
Source: www.mccain2000.com/ “Position Papers� 5/24/99 May 24, 1999
Vouchers needed where teachers fail

McCain believes school vouchers should be available to parents in order that they may place their children in the best learning environment for their particular needs. He feels that each and every child in every classroom deserves a teacher who is qualified and enthusiastic about teaching. “Some people just aren’t meant to be teachers, and we should help them find another line of work. Because if teachers can’t teach, our kids can’t learn.�
Source: www.mccain2000.com/ “Position Papers� 5/24/99 May 24, 1999
Vouchers for any schools; more charter schools


McCain supports the following principles concerning school choice:
Allow parents to use vouchers to send their children to any participating school: public, private or religious
Allow parents to use tax-free savings accounts to send their children to any participating school: public, private or religious
Support creation of more charter schools where teachers and professionals receive authorization and funding to establish new schools
Source: Project Vote Smart, 1998, www.vote-smart.org Jul 2, 1998
John McCain on Voting Record

Unrestricted block grants--let states decide spending

McCain would be reluctant to tie federal dollars to a school’s academic standing. But he seems intent on pleasing conservatives by extracting the federal government from most school-level spending decisions. McCain has said he would present most federal education money to states in unrestricted block grants -- he would include an additional $500 million earmarked broadly for teachers’ merit pay -- and leave it to the states and districts to spend as they see fit.
Source: New York Times Feb 29, 2000
Here are some of the candidate’s voting records where the main topic of the legislation was foreign policy...


Voted NO on $52M for "21st century community learning centers".

To increase appropriations for after-school programs through 21st century community learning centers. Voting YES would increase funding by $51.9 million for after school programs run by the 21st century community learning centers and would decrease funding by $51.9 million for salaries and expenses in the Department of Labor.
Reference: Amendment to Agencies Appropriations Act; Bill S Amdt 2287 to HR 3010 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SP2287:) ; vote number 2005-279 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2005-279.htm) on Oct 27, 2005
Voted NO on $5B for grants to local educational agencies.

To provide an additional $5 billion for title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Voting YES would provide:

$2.5 billion for targeting grants to local educational agencies
$2.5 billion for education finance incentive grants
Reference: Elementary and Secondary Education Amendment; Bill S Amdt 2275 to HR 3010 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SP2275:) ; vote number 2005-269 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2005-269.htm) on Oct 26, 2005
Voted NO on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education.

Vote to adopt an amendment to the Senate's 2006 Fiscal Year Budget Resolution that would adjust education funding while still reducing the deficit by $5.4 billion. A YES vote would:

Restore education program cuts slated for vocational education, adult education, GEAR UP, and TRIO.
Increase the maximum Pell Grant scholarship to $4,500 immediately.
Increases future math and science teacher student loan forgiveness to $23,000.
Pay for the education funding by closing $10.8 billion in corporate tax loopholes.
Reference: Kennedy amendment relative to education funding; Bill S AMDT 177 to S Con Res 18 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SP177:) ; vote number 2005-68 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2005-68.htm) on Mar 17, 2005
Voted NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors.

Vote to authorize a federal program aimed at reducing class size. The plan would assist states and local education agencies in recruiting, hiring and training 100,000 new teachers, with $2.4 billion in fiscal 2002. This amendment would replace an amendment allowing parents with children at under-performing schools to use public funding for private tutors.
Reference: Bill S1 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:S.1.PCS:) ; vote number 2001-103 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2001-103.htm) on May 15, 2001
Voted NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors.

Vote to pass an amendment that would authorize $200 million to provide grants to help states develop assessment systems that describe student achievement. This amendment would replace an amendment by Jeffords, R-VT, which would allow parents with children at under-performing schools to use public funding for private tutors.
Reference: Bill S1 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:S.1.PCS:) ; vote number 2001-99 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2001-99.htm) on May 10, 2001
Voted NO on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction.

Vote to reduce the size of the $1.6 trillion tax cut by $448 billion while increasing education spending by $250 billion and providing an increase of approximately $224 billion for debt reduction over 10 years.
Reference: Bill H Con Res 83 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:hcr.83:) ; vote number 2001-69 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2001-69.htm) on Apr 4, 2001
Voted YES on declaring memorial prayers and religious symbols OK at schools.

Vote to declare that erecting religious symbols and praying on public school campuses as part of a memorial service does not violate the First Amendment to the Constitution, and to provide legal assistance to any government entity defending such a case.
Reference: Bill S.254 ; vote number 1999-121 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_1999-121.htm) on May 18, 1999
Voted YES on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules.

This vote was a motion to invoke cloture on a bill aimed at allowing states to waive certain federal rules normally required in order to use federal school aid. [A YES vote implies support of charter schools and vouchers].
Status: Cloture Motion Rejected Y)55; N)39; NV)6
Reference: Motion to Invoke cloture on Jeffords Amdt #31; Bill S. 280 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d106:SN00280:@@@D&summ2=m&) ; vote number 1999-35 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_1999-35.htm) on Mar 9, 1999
Voted YES on education savings accounts.

This Conference Report approved tax-sheltered education savings accounts.
Status: Conf Rpt Agreed to Y)59; N)36; NV)5
Reference: H.R. 2646 Conference Report; Bill H.R. 2646 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c105:H.R.2646:) ; vote number 1998-169 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_1998-169.htm) on Jun 24, 1998
Voted YES on school vouchers in DC.

This legislation would have amended the DC spending measure, imposing an unconstitutional school voucher program on the District.
Status: Cloture Motion Rejected Y)58; N)41; NV)1
Reference: DC Appropriations Act; Bill S. 1156 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c105:S.1156:) ; vote number 1997-260 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_1997-260.htm) on Sep 30, 1997
Voted YES on $75M for abstinence education.

Vote to retain a provision of the Budget Act that funds abstinence education to help reduce teenage pregnancy, using $75 million of the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant Program.
Reference: Bill S 1956 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c104:S.1956:) ; vote number 1996-231 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_1996-231.htm) on Jul 23, 1996
Voted YES on requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer.

Cut off federal funds to school districts that deny students their right to constitutionally protected voluntary prayer.
Reference: Bill S.1513 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c10X:S.9999:) ; vote number 1994-236 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_1994-236.htm) on Jul 27, 1994
Voted NO on national education standards.

Approval of national education standards.
Status: Bill Passed Y)71; N)25; NV)4
Reference: Goals 2000: Educate America Act; Bill H.R. 1804 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c103:H.R.1804:) ; vote number 1994-34 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_1994-34.htm) on Feb 8, 1994
Focus educational resources to help those with greatest need.

McCain adopted the Republican Main Street Partnership agenda item:

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) helps to fulfill the most basic mission of federal education programs—equal opportunity for all children. To help improve the federal role in education, the Republican Main Street Partnership has identified the following areas that should receive priority during the reauthorization of IDEA:

Focus resources to help those with the greatest need, particularly the disadvantaged and disabled
Target Title I funds, those specifically designed to aid disadvantaged students, to students with the greatest need
Although Title I funds are already allocated according to population and poverty, more funds must be targeted to our neediest schools. We propose funding, for the first time, grants that send at least a portion of Title I funds solely on the basis of need.
Increase the maximum award under Pell Grants to help first-generation & low-income students continue their education
Increase the maximum award for students from low-income families to restore the balance between grants and loans, particularly among those with the greatest need.
Continue efforts to increase federal funding for IDEA to help states and locals offset the cost of providing a ëfree appropriate public educationÃ* for students with special needs
Move federal funding toward its goal of providing up to 40 percent of the average cost of educating a disabled child.
In addition, we need to better evaluate the effectiveness of this program and ensure that federal funds for IDEA—particularly in light of recent funding increases—are being targeted to our students with real learning disabilities.
Finally and most important, any fiscal incentives must be examined to ensure that the overidentification of learning disabled students is prevented, and our efforts must focus on the regular evaluation of the program to ensure that our special needs children are truly being provided a "free appropriate public education."
Source: 2001 GOP Main Street Partnership Action Agenda for Education 01-RMSP2 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_01-RMSP2.htm) on Jul 2, 2001
Require state standards, regular assessments, and sanctions.

McCain adopted the Republican Main Street Partnership agenda item:

To help improve the federal role in education, the Republican Main Street Partnership has identified the following areas that should receive priority:
Require states to implement high standards of achievement in core subject areas, such as reading, math, writing, and science, for all students.
Nearly all states have established high standards for education content in reading, writing and math. To continue to be eligible for Title I funds, we must ensure that states meet these standards.
Require states to demonstrate success in raising the performance of all students -- from those who score below basic to those who are already proficient -- and narrowing the gap between disadvantaged students and their more advantaged peers.
Without regular assessments, we cannot determine how well students are achieving with respect to each state's performance goals. Although states are required to have assessments aligned with their content and performance standards by the 2000-2001 school year, it now seems that no state will be approved in time. To continue to be eligible for Title I funds, states must continue to work toward this goal and waivers must be provided only for those who are making substantial progress toward the implementation of their aligned assessments.
Establish a meaningful system of rewards for schools that significantly increase student achievement and sanctions for those that fail.
Schools that consistently fail to make progress toward their stateÃ*s own performance goals, after assistance and opportunity to improve, must be sanctioned with corrective actions ranging from the reconstitution of the school staff to the authorization of students to transfer to another public school. Schools that meet or exceed their performance goals should receive monetary awards through a new grant program designed to reward achievement.
Source: 2001 GOP Main Street Partnership Action Agenda for Education 01-RMSP3 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_01-RMSP3.htm) on Jul 2, 2001
Support Ed-Flex: more flexibility if more accountable.

McCain adopted the Republican Main Street Partnership agenda item:

To help improve the federal role in education, the Republican Main Street Partnership has identified the following areas that should receive priority:
Provide flexibility in exchange for increased accountability.
Encourage more states to take advantaged of the Education-Flexibility waiver to better align federal programs with state and local priorities.
Currently, 15 states have Ed-Flex authority and, according to GAO reports, the waiver authority promotes a climate that encourages state and local educators to explore new approaches to education. Ultimately, the states must make the decision to apply for the waiver, but education leaders must encourage states and schools to be innovative in their approach to education improvement.
Enact new legislation to give states the option to combine education programs and funding in exchange for demonstrated improvements in student achievement at all levels
In exchange for new flexibility, a participating state would have to show how it would combine and use funds to advance education priorities, improve student achievement and narrow the learning gap. If, after three years, the state has failed to meet its own requirements, the flexibility authority would be terminated and administrative funds would be withheld.
Source: 2001 GOP Main Street Partnership Action Agenda for Education 01-RMSP4 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_01-RMSP4.htm) on Jul 2, 2001
Rated 45% by the NEA, indicating a mixed record on public education.

McCain scores 45% by the NEA on public education issues

The National Education Association has a long, proud history as the nation's leading organization committed to advancing the cause of public education. Founded in 1857 "to elevate the character and advance the interests of the profession of teaching and to promote the cause of popular education in the United States," the NEA has remained constant in its commitment to its original mission as evidenced by the current mission statement: To fulfill the promise of a democratic society, the National Education Association shall promote the cause of quality public education and advance the profession of education; expand the rights and further the interest of educational employees; and advocate human, civil, and economic rights for all.In pursuing its mission, the NEA has determined that it will focus the energy and resources of its 2.7 million members toward the "promotion of public confidence in public education." The ratings are based on the votes the organization considered most important; the numbers reflect the percentage of time the representative voted the organization's preferred position.
Source: NEA website 03n-NEA (http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_03n-NEA.htm) on Dec 31, 2003

[EMUJeff]

Senator Barack Obama-

Merit pay ok if based on career instead of a single test

Q: As president, can you name a hot-button issue where you would be willing to buck the Democratic Party line & say, "You know what? Republicans have a better idea here?"

A: I think that on issues of education, I've been very clear about the fact--and sometimes I've gotten in trouble with the teachers' union on this--that we should be experimenting with charter schools. We should be experimenting with different ways of compensating teachers.
Q: You mean merit pay?
A: Well, merit pay, the way it's been designed, I think, is based on just a single standardized test--I think is a big mistake, because the way we measure performance may be skewed by whether or not the kids are coming into school already 3 years or 4 years behind. But I think that having assessment tools and then saying, "You know what? Teachers who are on career paths to become better teachers, developing themselves professionally--that we should pay excellence more." I think that's a good idea. Source: Fox News Sunday: 2008 presidential race interview (http://www.ontheissues.org/2008_Fox_News_Sunday.htm) Apr 27, 2008
Evolution & science aren't incompatible with Christian faith

Q: If one of your daughters asked you, "Daddy, did God really create the world in 6 days?" What would you say?

A: What I believe is that God created the universe, and that the 6 days in the Bible may not be 6 days as we understand it. My belief is that the story that the Bible tells about God creating this magnificent Earth, that is fundamentally true. Now whether it happened exactly as we might understand it reading the text of the Bible, that I don't presume to know. But one last point--I do believe in evolution. I don't think that is incompatible with Christian faith. Just as I don't think science generally is incompatible with Christian faith. There are those who suggest that if you have a scientific bent of mind, then somehow you should reject religion. And I fundamentally disagree with that. In fact, the more I learn about the world, the more I know about science, the more I'm amazed about the mystery of this planet and this universe. And it strengthens my faith as opposed to weakens it. Source: 2008 Democratic Compassion Forum at Messiah College (http://www.ontheissues.org/2008_Dems_Compassion_Forum.htm) Apr 13, 2008
Supports charter schools; it's important to experiment

Q: Name an issue where you've been willing to stand up against your party.

A: We had a roundtable about what we need to do with the schools. I've consistently said, we need to support charter schools. I think it is important to experiment, by looking at how we can reward excellence in the classroom.
Q: Have teacher's unions been an impediment to that kind of reform?
A: They haven't been thrilled with me talking about these kinds of issues. And my sister is a teacher, so I am a strong support of teachers, but I'm not going to be bound by just a certain way of talking about these things, in order for us to move forward on behalf of our kids. And I think a lot of teachers want to talk about how to continually improve performance. That's not a conservative issue or liberal issue. If you're a progressive, you've got to be worried about how the federal government is spending its revenue, because we don't have enough money to spend on things like early childhood education that are so important. Source: 2008 Politico pre-Potomac Primary interview (http://www.ontheissues.org/2008_Politico.htm) Feb 11, 2008
Children's First Agenda: zero to five early education



High-Quality Zero to Five Early Education: Obama will launch a Children's First Agenda that provides care, learning and support to families with children from birth up to five years old.
Reform No Child Left Behind: Obama believes that the goal of No Child Left Behind was the right one, but that it was written and implemented poorly and it has demoralized our educators and broken its promise to our children. Obama will fund No Child Left Behind and improve its assessments and accountability systems.
Improve K-12: Obama will improve our schools by recruiting well-qualified teachers to every classroom in America. Obama will improve teacher compensation by rewarding expert, accomplished teachers for taking on challenging assignments & helping teachers succeed. Obama also will reduce the high school dropout rate and close the achievement gap by investing in proven intervention strategies in the middle grades & in summer learning & afterschool opportunities
Source: Campaign booklet, "Blueprint for Change", p. 20-23 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Blueprint_Obama.htm) Feb 2, 2008
$4,000 college tuition for 100 hours' public service a year



Create the American Opportunity Tax Credit: Obama will make college affordable for all Americans by creating a new American Opportunity Tax Credit. This universal and fully refundable credit will ensure that the first $4,000 of a college education is completely free for most Americans. Obama will also ensure that the tax credit is available to families at the time of enrollment by using prior year's tax data to deliver the credit when tuition is due.
Simplify the Application Process for Financial Aid: Obama will streamline the financial aid process by eliminating the current federal financial aid application and enabling families to apply simply by checking a box on their tax form, authorizing their tax information to be used, and eliminating the need for a separate application.
Require 100 Hours of Service in College: Obama will establish a new American Opportunity Tax Credit that worth $4,000 a year in exchange for 100 hours of public service a year.
Source: Campaign booklet, "Blueprint for Change", p. 20&46 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Blueprint_Obama.htm) Feb 2, 2008
Put billions of dollars into early childhood education

Latinos have such a high dropout rate. What you see consistently are children at a very early age are starting school already behind. That's why I've said that I'm going to put billions of dollars into early childhood education that makes sure that our African-American youth, Latino youth, poor youth of every race, are getting the kind of help that they need so that they know their numbers, their colors, their letters. Every dollar that we spend in early childhood education, we get $10 back in reduced dropout rates, improved reading scores. That's the kind of commitment we have to make early on. We've got to improve K through 12. That means not just talking about how great teachers are but rewarding them for their greatness by giving them higher salaries and giving them more support and professional development; and making sure that No Child Left Behind is not a tool to punish people, and we're not just basing how we fund our schools on a standardized test.
Source: 2008 Democratic debate in Las Vegas (http://www.ontheissues.org/2008_Dems_Las_Vegas.htm) Jan 15, 2008
Need after-school and summer programs with good parenting

We need after-school programs and summer-school programs because minority youth and poor youth are less likely to get the kind of environment and supplemental activities that they need. But let's be clear: We have good answers for how to make these schools work. What we don't have is a sense of urgency in the White House. I was raised by a single mom and my grandparents. I did not get money and privilege when I was young. But I did get a good education. And we've got to have that attitude for every single child in America. That also means--last point I'll make, because sometimes this doesn't get talked enough about. We have to have our parents take their jobs seriously, and particularly African-American fathers who all too often are absent from the home, have not encouraged the kind of, you know, nurturing of our children that they need. As somebody who grew up without a father, I know how important that is. The schools can't do it all by themselves. Parents have to parent.
Source: 2008 Democratic debate in Las Vegas (http://www.ontheissues.org/2008_Dems_Las_Vegas.htm) Jan 15, 2008
Get parents re-engaged in educating the children

And I've said this all across the country when I talk to parents about education, government has to fulfill its obligations to fund education, but parents have to do their job too. We've got to turn off the TV set, we've got to put away the video game, and we have to tell our children that session not a passive activity, you have to be actively engaged in it. If we encourage that attitude and our community is enforcing it, I have no doubt we can compete with anybody in the world.
Source: 2007 Des Moines Register Democratic Debate Dec 13, 2007
We need a sense of urgency about improving education system

Q: How would you assess the American education system, how well is it doing from K to high school?

A: Well, I think it's doing very well for some. But it's not doing very well for all. So, No Child Left Behind has been false advertising. And there doesn't seem to be a sense of urgency about improving the education system. It is a sense of urgency that we've got to restore if we're going to be able to remain competitive in this new global economy. So, a couple of steps that I think we have to take. Across the board we're going to have to recruit a generation of new teachers. We're going to have to pay our teachers more, we going to have to give them more professional development, and we're also going to have to work with them rather than against them to improve standards. We've got to improve early childhood education, because that's the area where we can probably most effectively achieve the achievement gap that exists right now. Source: Huffington Post Mash-Up: 2007 Democratic on-line debate (http://www.ontheissues.org/2007_Dems_Mashup.htm) Sep 13, 2007
Nationwide program to reconstruct crumbling school buildings

Q: What could you do to curb the high Hispanic dropout rate?

A: Well, keep in mind this is not just a crisis for the Hispanic community; this is a crisis for the entire country because increasingly the workforce is going to be black and brown, and if those young people are not trained, then this country will not be competitive. Closing the achievement gap involves making sure that children are prepared the day they come to school, and so working with at-risk parents & poor children to make sure that they're getting their childhood education they need is absolutely critical. I've seen crumbling school buildings & children learning in trailers because of overcrowding. We've got to have a program of school construction all across the nation. After-school programs and summer school programs can make an enormous difference in preventing dropout rates because a lot of times young people after they get out of school have no place to do their homework. And that can make an enormous difference. Source: 2007 Democratic primary debate on Univision in Spanish (http://www.ontheissues.org/2007_Univision_Dems.htm) Sep 9, 2007
STEP UP: summer learning opportunities for disadvantaged

Differences in learning opportunities during the summer contribute to the achievement gaps that separate struggling poor and minority students from their middle-class peers. Obama's STEP UP plan supports summer learning opportunities for disadvantaged children through partnerships between local schools and community organizations.

Obama supports increasing funding for the Head Start program for preschool children. Obama has called on states to replicate the Illinois model of Preschool for All. Source: Campaign website, BarackObama.com, "Resource Flyers" Aug 26, 2007
We left the money behind for No Child Left Behind

I've had a lot of discussions with teachers. And they feel betrayed and frustrated by No Child Left Behind. We shouldn't reauthorize it without changing it fundamentally. We left the money behind for No Child Left Behind, and so there are school districts all across the state and all across the country that are having a difficult time implementing No Child Left Behind.
Source: 2007 Democratic primary debate on "This Week" Aug 19, 2007
Pay "master teachers" extra, but with buy-in from teachers

Q: What about performance-based pay?

A: Teachers are extraordinarily frustrated about how their performance is assessed. And not just their own performance, but the school's performance generally. So they're teaching to the tests all the time. What I have said is that we should be able to get buy-in from teachers in terms of how to measure progress. Every teacher I think wants to succeed. And if we give them a pathway to professional development, where we're creating master teachers, they are helping with apprenticeships for young new teachers, they are involved in a variety of other activities, that are really adding value to the schools, then we should be able to give them more money for it. But we should only do it if the teachers themselves have some buy-in in terms of how they're measured. They can't be judged simply on standardized tests that don't take into account whether children are prepared before they get to school or not. Source: 2007 Democratic primary debate on "This Week" (http://www.ontheissues.org/2007_Stephanopoulos_Dems.htm) Aug 19, 2007
Sends kids to private school; but wants good schools for all

Q: Do you send your kids to public school or private school?

A: My kids have gone to the University of Chicago Lab School, a private school, because I taught there, and it was five minutes from our house. So it was the best option for our kids. But the fact is that there are some terrific public schools in Chicago that they could be going to. The problem is, is that we don't have good schools, public schools, for all kids. A US senator can get his kid into a terrific public school. That's not the question. The question is whether or not ordinary parents, who can't work the system, are able to get their kids into a decent school, and that's what I need to fight for and will fight for as president. Source: 2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate, Charleston SC (http://www.ontheissues.org/2007_YouTube_Dems.htm) Jul 23, 2007
Supreme Court was wrong on school anti-integration ruling

Q: In light of the recent anti-integration Supreme Court decision, please tell us what would you do to promote an equal opportunity and integration in American public schools and how would you ensure that the courts would hand down more balanced opinions

A: The Supreme Court was wrong. These were local school districts that had voluntarily made a determination that all children would be better off if they learned together. The notion that this Supreme Court would equate that with the segregation as tasked would make Thurgood Marshall turn in his grave. Which is why I'm glad I voted against Alito & voted against Roberts. But let's remember that we also have a crisis in all our schools that have to be fixed, whether they're integrated or not. We've got to have early childhood education. We've got to fix crumbling schools. We've got to have an excellent teacher in front of every classroom. We've got to make college affordable. The Supreme Court doesn't have to order that. We can do that ourselves. Source: 2007 NAACP Presidential Primary Forum (http://www.ontheissues.org/2007_NAACP_Primary.htm) Jul 12, 2007
Incentives to hire a million teachers over next decade

We've got to make sure that teachers are going to the schools that need them the most. We're going to lose a million teachers over the next decade because the baby-boom generation is retiring. And so it's absolutely critical for us to give them the incentives and the tools and the training that they need not only to become excellent teachers but to become excellent teachers where they're most needed.

We're going to have to put more money into after-school programs and provide the resources that are necessary. When you've got a bill called No Child Left Behind, you can't leave the money behind for No Child Left Behind. And unfortunately, that's what's been done.
The reason that we have consistently had underperformance among our children is because too many of us think it is acceptable for them not to achieve. And we have to have a mindset where we say to ourselves, every single child can learn if they're given the resources and the opportunities. And right now that's not happening. Source: 2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University (http://www.ontheissues.org/2007_Dems_Howard_U.htm) Jun 28, 2007
Pay teachers more money & treat them like professionals

It's time to turn the page on education, to move past the slow decay of indifference that says some schools can't be fixed, that says some kids just can't learn. As president, I will launch a campaign to recruit and support hundreds of thousands of new teachers across the country--because the most important part of any education is the person standing in front of the classroom. It's time to treat teaching like the profession that it is. It's time to pay our teachers what they deserve. Pay them more money.

And when it comes to developing the high standards we need, it's time to stop working against our teachers and start working with them. Teachers don't go in to education to get rich. They don't go in to education because they don't believe in their children. They want their children to succeed, but we've got to give them the tools. Invest in early childhood education. Invest in our teachers and our children will succeed. Source: Take Back America 2007 Conference (http://www.ontheissues.org/TBA_2007.htm) Jun 19, 2007
Public school system status quo is indefensible

We know that global competition requires us to revamp our educational system, replenish our teaching corps, buckle down on math and science instruction, and rescue inner-city kids from illiteracy. Our debate seems stuck between those who want to dismantle the system and those who would defend an indefensible status quo, between those who say money makes no difference in education and those who want more money without any demonstration that it will be put to good use.
Source: The Audacity of Hope, by Barack Obama, p. 22 Oct 1, 2006
More teacher pay in exchange for more teacher accountability

Conservatives argue that the problems in schools are caused by bureaucracies and teachers' unions; and that the only solution is to hand out vouchers. Those on the left find themselves defending an indefensible status quo, insisting that more spending will improve education.

Both assumptions are wrong. Money does matter in education. But there is no denying that the way many public schools are managed poses at least as big a problem as how well they're funded.
Our task is to identify those reforms that have the highest impact on achievement, fund them, and eliminate those programs that don't produce results. We are going to have to take the teaching profession seriously. This means paying teachers what they are worth. There is no reason why an experienced, highly qualified teacher shouldn't earn $100,000. In exchange for more money, teachers need to become more accountable for their performances, and school districts need to have greater ability to get rid of ineffective teachers. Source: The Audacity of Hope, by Barack Obama, p.161-163 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Audacity_of_Hope.htm) Oct 1, 2006
Guarantee affordable life-long, top-notch education

We've got a story to tell that isn't just against something but is for something. We know that we're the party of opportunity. We know that in a global economy that's more connective and more competitive that we're the party that will guarantee every American an affordable, world-class, life-long, top-notch education, from early childhood to high school--from college to on-the-job training. We know that that's what we're about.
Source: Annual 2006 Take Back America Conference Jun 14, 2006
Sex education needed to help children discuss molestation

KEYES: [to Obama]: You voted that sex education should begin in kindergarten but it would be "age appropriate sex education." But you opposed putting internet filters in schools. It makes me wonder what exactly you think is age appropriate. Do you believ that in the 2nd grade we should be teaching from books like Heather Has Two Mommies.

OBAMA: Actually, that wasn't what I had in mind. We have an existing law that mandates sex education in the schools and we want to make sure that it's medically accurate and age appropriate. I have a 3 year old daughter and a six year old daughter and one of the things I talk about with my wife is the possibility of someone touching them inappropriately. And that's why [sex education] is in the law. So they can exercise some kind of protection against abuse. As for filters, I have voted for them. In the school setting, there was information schoolchildren could not access such as information about breast cancer, which is why there was a broad opposition. Source: Illinois Senate Debate #3: Barack Obama vs. Alan Keyes Oct 21, 2004
Provide decent funding and get rid of anti-intellectualism

I try to avoid an either/or approach to solving the problems of this country. There are questions of individual responsibility and questions of societal responsibility to be dealt with. The best example is an education. I'm going to insist that we've got decent funding, enough teachers, and computers in the classroom, but unless you turn off the television set and get over a certain anti-intellectualism that I think pervades some low-income communities, our children are not going to achieve.
Source: Meet The Press, NBC News Jul 25, 2004
Address the growing achievement gap between students

Our public education system is the key to opportunity for millions of children and families. It needs to be the best in the world. Of particular concern is the growing achievement gap between middle and low-income students, which has continued to expand despite some overall national achievement gains.
Source: Campaign website, ObamaForIllinois.com May 2, 2004
Will add 25,000 teachers in high-need areas

Obama will fight for full funding for Head Start and expanded pre-school, so every child starts school ready to learn.ÿ He has proposed a national network of teaching academies to add 25,000 new teachers to high-need urban and rural schools. And, he will work to send deserving students to college through loan programs that help middle-class families instead of banks.
Source: Campaign website, ObamaForIllinois.com, ?On The Issues? May 2, 2004
Supports charter schools and private investment in schools


Principles that Obama supports on education:
Increase state funds for professional development of public school teachers and administrators.
Encourage private or corporate investment in public school programs.
Favor charter schools where independent groups receive state authorization and funding to establish new schools.
Increase state funds for school construction and facility maintenance.
Source: 1998 IL State Legislative National Political Awareness Test Jul 2, 1998
Free public college for any student with B-average


Principles that Obama supports on education funding:
Fund public school education in Illinois by increasing certain state taxes and decreasing local property taxes.
Provide state-funded tuition and fees to any Illinois student who attends a public college or university as long as they maintain a B average.
Source: 1998 IL State Legislative National Political Awareness Test Jul 2, 1998
Barack Obama on Voting Record

First Senate bill: increase Pell Grant from $4,050 to $5,100

Free Up Money for Student Aid and Protect Student Borrowers:

The first bill Obama introduced in the Senate was to help make college more affordable by increasing the maximum Pell Grant from $4,050 to $5,100. As president, Obama would eliminate wasteful subsidies to private student lenders, which will save nearly $6 billion dollars per year, and invest the savings in additional student aid.
Source: Campaign website, BarackObama.com, "Resource Flyers" Aug 26, 2007
Sponsored legislations that recruit and reward good teachers

Obama co-sponsored legislation to create a National Teaching Academy of Chicago that recruits, prepares and develops quality teachers for high-need urban school districts. He co-sponsored legislation that created the Future Teacher Corps Scholarships to provide financial aid for undergraduate & graduate students studying to become teachers. He was chief sponsor of a bill creating the Certified Teacher Retention Bonus Program that provides grants to reward high quality teachers in low performing schools.
Source: Campaign website, ObamaForIllinois.org, "On the Issues" Sep 28, 2004
Here are some of the candidate’s voting records where the main topic of the legislation was foreign policy...


Voted YES on $52M for "21st century community learning centers".

To increase appropriations for after-school programs through 21st century community learning centers. Voting YES would increase funding by $51.9 million for after school programs run by the 21st century community learning centers and would decrease funding by $51.9 million for salaries and expenses in the Department of Labor.
Reference: Amendment to Agencies Appropriations Act; Bill S Amdt 2287 to HR 3010 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SP2287:) ; vote number 2005-279 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2005-279.htm) on Oct 27, 2005
Voted YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies.

To provide an additional $5 billion for title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Voting YES would provide:

$2.5 billion for targeting grants to local educational agencies
$2.5 billion for education finance incentive grants
Reference: Elementary and Secondary Education Amendment; Bill S Amdt 2275 to HR 3010 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SP2275:) ; vote number 2005-269 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2005-269.htm) on Oct 26, 2005
Voted YES on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education.

Vote to adopt an amendment to the Senate's 2006 Fiscal Year Budget Resolution that would adjust education funding while still reducing the deficit by $5.4 billion. A YES vote would:

Restore education program cuts slated for vocational education, adult education, GEAR UP, and TRIO.
Increase the maximum Pell Grant scholarship to $4,500 immediately.
Increases future math and science teacher student loan forgiveness to $23,000.
Pay for the education funding by closing $10.8 billion in corporate tax loopholes.
Reference: Kennedy amendment relative to education funding; Bill S AMDT 177 to S Con Res 18 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SP177:) ; vote number 2005-68 (http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2005-68.htm) on Mar 17, 2005

[EMUJeff]

Congressperson Cynthia McKinney-

Something wrong with $38B on education & $700B on defense

Pentagon spending is at around $700 billion, can you imagine? And K-12 education is at about $38 billion. There's something wrong with that. Obviously, we have to put money into education.

Having been born & raised in Georgia, we would always say, "Thank goodness for Alabama & Mississippi." Now children in other parts of the world are saying, "Thank goodness for the US." Our children must be equipped for competition with the rest of the world. We have to focus on education & lifelong learning Source: 2008 Green Presidential Debate moderated by Cindy Sheehan Jan 13, 2008
No Child Left Behind aimed at dismantling public education

We need to focus on education, but not with "reforms" like No Child Left Behind that are basically aimed at dismantling public education. We need to instill pride and a desire to learn. We need free higher education for all. India's socialized economy provided free higher education. Now our jobs are being shipped to India.
Source: Interview with "Reconstruction Renaissance" Jan 8, 2008
Our public schools are in a serious state disrepair

America's schools are, on average, 42 years old; while nearly 25,000 public schools, almost 1/3 of all public school buildings, are in a serious state of disrepair. As a result, more than 15 million students learn in facilities that have substandard heating, ventilation, plumbing, and roofing systems. It is clear that Republican priorities do not include education for our children. Federal tax cuts for the wealthy and funding for the war come at the expense of education and our children.
Source: Campaign website, www.cynthiaforcongress.com, "Issues" Dec 20, 2007
No Child Left Behind is an unfunded mandate

In the years since President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, none of his budgets has come close to meeting the level of funding authorized in the Act. The cumulative Administration budgets have fallen billions of dollars short of the amount authorized for funding.

Important federal programs, such as Title I, which supports additional math and reading instruction in high-poverty schools and special education, are currently underfunded. The result is a lack of resources in schools and classrooms across the country.
The bipartisan National Governors Association even voted unanimously to label Bush's No Child Left Behind Act an unfunded mandate. States and localities struggle to keep up with the new requirements. Bush's own No Child Left Behind Act called for every teacher to have obtained a state certificate or license to teach by 2005. President Bush's budget plan fails to include any dedicated resources to address the $127 billion backlog in school repairs. Source: Campaign website, www.cynthiaforcongress.com, "Issues" Dec 20, 2007
Here are some of the candidate’s voting records where the main topic of the legislation was foreign policy...

Voted YES on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges.

This vote is on a substitute bill (which means an amendment which replaces the entire text of the original bill). Voting YES means support for the key differences from the original bill: lowering student loan interest rates; $59 million for a new Predominantly Black Serving Institution program; $25 million for a new graduate Hispanic Serving Institution program; provide for year- round Pell grants; and repeal the Single Lender rule. The substitute's proponents say:
The original bill has some critical shortcomings. First and foremost, this substitute will cut the new Pell Grant fixed interest rate in half from 6.8% to 3.4%, to reduce college costs to those students most in need.
It would also establish a new predominantly black-serving institutions programs to boost college participation rates for low-income black students, and a new graduate Hispanic-serving institution program.
As we saw from 1995 to 2000, the questions employers were asking was not your race, not your ethnicity, not your religion, they wanted to know if you had the skills and talents to do the job. Most often today, those skills and that talent requires a higher education. A college education is going to have to become as common as a high school education.


The substitute's opponents say:
I feel it is not totally the Federal Government's responsibility to provide for all of higher education. The substitute has three critical flaws.
1.The name itself, "Reverse the Raid on Student Aid." Don't believe the hype. Not one student in America will receive less financial aid under our bill. Not one.
2. This amendment does not retain the $6,000 maximum Pell Grant award that our legislation has. In fact, they stay with the same old $5,800 maximum award.
3. It says that we are going to have a 3.4% interest rate for 1 year that is going to cost $2.7 billion, but it has no offsets whatsoever. How do they pay for it? They don't tell us.
Reference: Reverse the Raid on Student Aid Act; Bill HR 609 Amendment 772 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:HZ00772:) ; vote number 2006-080 (http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_2006-080.htm) on Mar 30, 2006
Voted YES on requiring states to test students.

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001: Vote to pass a bill that would authorize $22.8 billion in education funding, a 29 percent increase from fiscal 2001. The bill would require states to test students to track progress. Reference: Bill sponsored by Boehner R-OH; Bill HR 1 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.1:) ; vote number 2001-145 (http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_2001-145.htm) on May 23, 2001
Voted NO on allowing vouchers in DC schools.

Vote to create a non-profit corporation to administer federally-funded vouchers for low-income children in the District of Columbia. Reference: Amendment introduced by Armey, R-TX; Bill HR 4380 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c105:H.R.4380:) ; vote number 1998-411 (http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_1998-411.htm) on Aug 6, 1998
Voted NO on vouchers for private & parochial schools.

Vote to pass a bill to allow states to use certain federal funds designated for elementary and secondary education to provide scholarships, or vouchers, to low-income families to send their children to private schools, including religious schools. Reference: Bill sponsored by Riggs, R-CA; Bill HR 2746 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c105:H.R.2746:) ; vote number 1997-569 (http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_1997-569.htm) on Nov 4, 1997
Voted NO on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer.

Motion to add language to the "Goals 2000: Educate America Act" to give federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer. Bill HR 1804 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c103:H.R.1804:) ; vote number 1994-85 (http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_1994-85.htm) on Mar 23, 1994
Supported funding for teacher training & other initiatives.

McKinney adopted the Women's Caucus policy agenda:
The teams of the Women’s Caucus are charged with advancing action on their designated issues in a bipartisan manner. Legislation from Team 4. EDUCATION
HR455—Teacher Technology Training Act of 1999—A bill to provide grants to local education agencies to provide integrated classroom-related computer training for elementary and secondary school teachers. (Capps)
HR645—Teacher Technology Training Act of 1999—A bill to require states to incorporate technology requirements in teacher training content and performance standards. (Morella)
HR1307—After-School Children’s Education (ACE) Act—A bill to provide for grants, a national clearinghouse of information and a GAO report on the quality and availability of after school programs. (Castle)
HR1129—A bill to remove the 60 month limitation for taking a tax deduction of student loan interest. (Mink)
HR1456—A bill to improve the National Writing Project program. (Miller-CA)
HR637—Gifted and Talented Students Education Act of 1999—A bill to make improvements and expand the gifted and talented program. (Gallegly)

The Caucus has also identified the following as priority areas:
School Construction Funding
Alternative Teacher Certification
School Violence
Support of Title I of ESEA
Gender Equity in Education
School Counselors
Source: Women's Caucus Agenda-106th Congress 99-WC7 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_99-WC7.htm) on Jul 15, 1999

[EMUJeff]

Ralph Nader-

Abandon standardized testing; focus on teaching civic skills

Nader wants to abandon not only the standardized testing both Bush and Gore endorse, but to radically refocus schools. Students “should learn, as the core curriculum, developing civic skills, learning how to practice democracy,� he said, “and the arithmetic, reading and writing will be a byproduct.�
Source: Scot Lehigh, Boston Globe, page D1 Oct 8, 2000
Invest in K-12 education; that will reduce poverty

Education is clearly a significant factor in enhancing the future of impoverished children. Education levels bear heavily on efforts to bring families out of poverty and in providing livable wages for low and moderate and middle-income families.

We need to invest in the nation’s children. We must assure an adequate safety net, health care, higher quality and more plentiful child care and vastly better educational opportunities, particularly at Kindergarten through the 12th grade. Source: Statement on Child Poverty Jun 26, 2000
Teach democratic principles & citizenship in schools

Our country’s schoolchildren need to be taught democratic principles in their historic context and present relevance, with practical civics experiences to develop their citizen skills and a desire to use them, and so they will be nurtured to serve as a major reservoir of future democracy.
Source: The Concord Principles, An Agenda for a New Democracy, #10 Feb 21, 2000
Kick Channel One & commercialism out of class

Would you want your children to see propaganda that glorifies reckless driving or that reinforces the poor body image of teenage girls? That’s exactly the kind of thing schoolkids are watching on Channel One, a so-called educational broadcast piped into classrooms. In essence, Channel One is run by a marketing company that uses the schools to deliver advertising to youngsters. Each school day, teachers turn on a TV show made up of two minutes of commercials and 10 minutes of “news.� Channel One’s lobbyists say that it’s “an old-fashioned newscast that often reflects traditional values.� Nice try. The “news� is just filler. What Channel One really conveys is materialism: that buying is good and will solve your problems, and that consumption and self-gratification are the goals of life. For real education reform that protects children, costs nothing, and increases productive class time, tell your school board to kick Channel One out of class.
Source: “In the Public Interest� newspaper column (http://www.ontheissues.org/Public_Interest.htm) May 12, 1999
Focus on civic & consumer education

Q: How would you manage the Department of Education differently?

A: I would put a very high priority on getting schools to teach civic education and connecting the classroom with the community. Getting youngsters, even as young as the fifth and sixth grades, to learn how to practice democracy, to connect knowledge to action. To help people grow up civic instead of growing up corporate is an important function of the Department of Education.
Our education system is becoming very vocational and very occupation-oriented, which is OK if it is not disproportionate and if it doesn’t squeeze out the most important role of education, which is civic.
I also would emphasize consumer education. Children are spending more and more money directly -- under 12 years of age they spent $ 12 billion last year, and they caused their parents to spend $ 150 billion. They need a consumer perspective, how to become a smart shopper. Source: San Francisco Chronicle, Sunday Interview, p. 3/Z1 Oct 13, 1996
Support choice within public schools


Nader supports the Green Party Platform, which states:
Greens support EDUCATIONAL DIVERSITY. We hold no dogma absolute, continually striving for truth in the realm of ideas. We view learning as a lifelong process to which all people have an equal right.
Education starts with CHOICE and within public education we believe in broad choices. “Magnet schools,� “Site-based Management,� “Schools within Schools,� alternative models and parental involvement are ways in which elementary education can be changed to make a real difference in the lives of our children.
We call for equitable state and national funding of school education and the creation of schools controlled by parent-teacher governing bodies.
We recognize the viable alternative of HOME-BASED EDUCATION.
We support a host of innovative and critical educational efforts, such as bi-lingual education, continuing education, and job retraining. Source: Green Party Platform, as ratified at the National Convention Jun 25, 2000

[EMUJeff]

Congressperson Bob Barr-

Here are some of the candidate’s voting records where the main topic of the legislation was foreign policy...

Voted YES on requiring states to test students.

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001: Vote to pass a bill that would authorize $22.8 billion in education funding, a 29 percent increase from fiscal 2001. The bill would require states to test students to track progress.
Reference: Bill sponsored by Boehner R-OH; Bill HR 1 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c107:H.R.1:) ; vote number 2001-145 (http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_2001-145.htm) on May 23, 2001
Voted YES on allowing vouchers in DC schools.

Vote to create a non-profit corporation to administer federally-funded vouchers for low-income children in the District of Columbia.
Reference: Amendment introduced by Armey, R-TX; Bill HR 4380 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c105:H.R.4380:) ; vote number 1998-411 (http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_1998-411.htm) on Aug 6, 1998
Voted YES on vouchers for private & parochial schools.

Vote to pass a bill to allow states to use certain federal funds designated for elementary and secondary education to provide scholarships, or vouchers, to low-income families to send their children to private schools, including religious schools.
Reference: Bill sponsored by Riggs, R-CA; Bill HR 2746 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c105:H.R.2746:) ; vote number 1997-569 (http://www.ontheissues.org/HouseVote/Party_1997-569.htm) on Nov 4, 1997
Let schools display the words "God Bless America".

Barr co-sponsored a Congressional Resolution on support for the Nation:

Title: Expressing the sense of the Congress that public schools may display the words "God Bless America" as an expression of support for the Nation. Source: House Resolution Sponsorship 01-HCR248 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_01-HCR248.htm) on Oct 12, 2001
Supports requiring schools to allow prayer.

Barr co-sponsored a bill requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer:

H.R.1, S.73: No DOE funds shall be available to any educational agency which prevents participation in constitutionally protected prayer in public schools by individuals on a voluntary basis. No educational agency shall require any person to participate in prayer or influence the form or content of any constitutionally protected prayer in such public schools. H.Con.Res.199 (Nov 19, 1999, Bonilla et. al.)
Expressing the sense of the Congress that prayers and invocations at public school sporting events contribute to the moral foundation of our Nation and urging the Supreme Court to uphold their constitutionality. H.J.RES. 54
Recognizing the authority of public schools to allow students to exercise their constitutional rights by establishing a period of time for silent prayer or meditation or reflection, encouraging the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, and refusing to discriminate against individuals or groups on account of their religious character or speech.
Proposed Legislation:
H.J.RES. 54, Students' Rights Resolution of 2001, 6/21/2001 (Smith (TX), Rahall, Hall (TX), Hilleary, Barr (GA), Souder, Smith (NJ), Buyer)
S. 73, Voluntary School Prayer Protection Act, 1/22/2001 (Helms)
H.R.1, No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Boehner, et. al.)
Source: H.R.1 01-HR1 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_01-HR1.htm) on Jan 31, 2001
Supports a Constitutional Amendment for school prayer.

Barr co-sponsored a resolution for a School Prayer Amendment:

H.J.RES.52 (2001), H.J.RES.66 (1999), S.J.RES. 1, H.J.RES.12, H. J. RES. 108, & H. J. RES. 55: Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to prohibit individual or group prayer in public schools or other public institutions. No person shall be required by the United States or by any State to participate in prayer . Neither the United States nor any State shall compose the words of any prayer to be said in public schools.H. J. RES. 78 (1997):
To secure the people's right to acknowledge God according to the dictates of conscience: Neither the United States nor any State shall establish any official religion, but the people's right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, or traditions on public property, including schools, shall not be infringed. Neither the United States nor any State shall require any person to join in prayer or other religious activity, prescribe school prayers, discriminate against religion, or deny equal access to a benefit on account of religion.
Proposed Legislation:
H.J.RES.52, School Prayer Amendment, 6/13/2001 (Murtha)
H.J.RES.12, School Prayer Amendment, 2/7/2001 (Emerson)
S.J.RES.1, School Prayer Amendment, 1/22/2001 (Thurmond)
H.J.RES.108, Voluntary School Prayer Amendment, 9/21/2000 (Graham)
H.J.RES.55, Voluntary School Prayer Amendment, 2/13/1997 (Stearnes, Hall, Watts)
H.J.RES.78, Amendment Restoring Religious Freedom, 5/8/1997 (Istook, et. al.)
Source: H.J.Res.78 97-HJR78 (http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_97-HJR78.htm) on May 8, 1997