Steve Bullock on Education Democratic Presidential Challenger; MT Governor

Freeze college tuition; college credit for veterans

1-2-Free: High school dual enrollment to college

Increase funding for higher education

• Since 2009, 46 states have decreased their funding of higher education. In Montana we've increased funding.
• We hear that our kids are our greatest export--yet the facts show that 80% of our resident students are now employed right here in Montana within a year of graduating, up from 74% in 2009.
• Our University System, state government, and the private sector are working together to produce graduates that have a world-class education and the skills our local businesses need to grow.
• Yet, there is more to do. There are investments we can't afford NOT to make. I am asking you to increase our state's investment in K-12 by $30 million. We can also increase our support for special education by $1.5 million. We can continue investments in preserving our Native languages. We can invest $2 million dollars to further build out the internet connectivity in our schools.

Invest in publicly funded early childhood education

The average cost of childcare in Montana for a four-year old is $7,900 dollars--in other words, more than college tuition at Montana State University or the University of Montana. A mom earning minimum wage could easily spend half of her income on childcare for just one kiddo.

Let's help those families. I have proposed a $12 million preschool grant program to allow school districts, Head Start programs or high-quality private preschool providers to offer preschool for four-year-old kids at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Invest in higher ed for 21st Century workforce, like Diesel

The Missoula College was built in 1956 for 700 students and now has an enrollment approaching 3,000. Last week I visited the Automotive and Diesel Program at Havre. It has 200 students, a 100% placement rate, and some graduates earn a starting salary better than a Governor. But without our investment, this program cannot grow.

And it's not just Missoula and Havre; many of our facilities are outdated and operating beyond their capacity. The young Montanans who are willing to invest in higher education deserve better. That's why [the state government]--along with the Montana Chamber of Commerce, the Montana Contractors Association and others--have joined together to propose record investments in our educational facilities.

Increase from 40% to 60% those with some college

• Offering college classes to more high school students will help them recognize that higher education is within their reach and will give them a jump start on earning college credits.
• We can make it easier for students by creating a universal enrollment system, so students at Miles Community College have access to courses at Montana State University.
• We aren't going to produce more college graduates if the cost of college is beyond the reach of Montana families. When tuition increases because higher education isn't adequately funded, that's a tax on tens of thousands of working families across our state. My budget includes an agreement to freeze tuition across the university system. I urge you to honor it.

MT is dead last in investment in early childhood education

We can't expect the federally funded Head Start program to carry the entire burden. Some local communities have stepped in to make sure these youngsters are given a better chance.

As a first step, I urge this body to expand the proven "Stars to Quality Program" and make the long overdue investment in school readiness. I've laid out a plan that will create 100 more high-quality early childhood programs, getting 600 more families and 1,000 more children ready for school, annually. It's a proven high-return investment that will produce long-lived benefits for the students and our economy. And our commitment and investment must continue throughout their schooling.