2010 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Education
Dave Freudenthal:
Base cuts on valuation of projects, & keep building schools
I do not support the decision to significantly reduce school capital construction. There are 3 reasons. One is about the only thing that is going to generate jobs in this state for construction is going to be public construction. Second, we are getting
some of the most remarkable bids we have ever seen in terms of school construction.I am also troubled by the fact these reductions were accomplished by essentially dropping four projects off the bottom of the School Facilities Commission list, not
based on the valuation of the projects, just sort of, "We need to save $50 million; let's cut it off the bottom."
The decision of the committee to reduce overall funding by 8.5%, based on changes in construction costs, is fine with me. It does not
change the number of projects we will be doing. However, I think we need to be cognizant of the fact that we have told school districts, "If you'll play by the rules, and not come to the Legislature and ask for special bills, we'll keep building schools.
Source: Wyoming 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 8, 2010
Jim Gibbons:
Empower local school boards and parents
In early January I unveiled the Gibbons Education Reform plan. My plan calls for parents, teachers and communities to be responsible for their local schools and in control of their children's education. Bureaucrats and politicians in Washington, D.C. and
Carson City, whose ideas of education reform start and end with writing a blank check, have no business dictating how your child is educated. We need to empower local school boards and parents to make decisions which are right for their children.
Source: Nevada 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 8, 2010
Jim Gibbons:
End cookie-cutter approach & end union influence
The cookie cutter, one-size-fits-all approach to public education has had its time and proven that it doesn't work anymore. What works in Las Vegas, may not work in Winnemucca or Tonopah. 23% of our public schools are failing. I WILL NOT accept that.
If 142 of our schools are not making the grade, what we are doing doesn't work. Throwing more money at this system won't change anything. Continuing to allow unions to dictate Nevada's education policy doesn't work. We need true reform.
Source: Nevada 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 8, 2010
Brad Henry:
Don't siphon resources from our classrooms
We recognized the hard work of our teachers by increasing their pay and, for the first time in history, covering the full cost of teachers' health insurance. This helps Oklahoma attract and retain the quality teachers our students deserve, and it tells
our teachers that we value their commitment.Our progress in schools has been tremendous. I will not tolerate any effort to cut teacher pay or siphon resources from our classrooms, our students, or our future.
Source: Oklahoma 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 1, 2010
Phil Bredesen:
New reforms: student achievement to evaluate teacher
I want now to talk for a moment with the teachers in our state. I do understand that some of the changes we have made, especially those regarding the use of student achievement in teacher evaluation, cause some of you concern.
I've talked with a lot of teachers these past few weeks. Some hate these changes, some love them, many are concerned but waiting to see. I want you to know that I understand and respect your concerns, and understand that teaching is a profession that
has many more dimensions than can be measured by a student's performance on a written test. I also understand that there are many factors beyond your control; the influence of home and parents, and the personalities of the students themselves.
Let's work together to find an approach that is both fair to your teaching profession and which gives our citizens confidence that the money they have invested in our schools is being used well.
Source: Tennessee 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 1, 2010
Donald Carcieri:
Strong advocate of expanding Charter Schools
We also need to embrace our heritage of independence and enlightenment by fostering more charter schools. I have been a strong advocate of Charter Schools, and we have added new ones, and expanded existing ones. These are public schools utilizing a
different model, and are achieving excellent results. This is another "revolution" that Rhode Island can and should lead. In order to build the 21st century economy successfully, we will produce high school graduates with 21st century skills.
Source: Rhode Island 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 26, 2010
Gary Herbert:
Continue to increase funding for public schools
Utah has long been committed to funding our public schools, our colleges and universities, and our technical institutions. In fact, few states in the country spend as much of their overall budgets on education as we do. Our unique demographics--which is
a way of saying we have larger families--mean we must continue to increase funding to maintain and enhance the solid education and training our students receive. I cannot say enough about the importance of supporting public education.
Source: Utah 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 26, 2010
Sean Parnell:
Performance Scholarship: fund tuition for good H.S. grades
If we give every high school student the opportunity for a merit scholarship, if we challenge them to reach higher to take personal responsibility for their futures, many will. These students will transform our economy and positively change the
trajectory of Alaska's future for generations.With the Governor's Performance Scholarship proposal, all Alaskan high school students can earn tuition for an in-state university or job-training program. They must complete a more rigorous curriculum
than what's now required to graduate from high school. But for students who take this curriculum, better grades will mean greater tuition awards. If a student maintains a C+ average but completes this more rigorous curriculum, they will earn 50% of their
tuition; a B average will earn them 75% tuition and with an A average while taking this tougher curriculum, a young person will earn 100% tuition for an in-state university or job-training program. Merit scholarships work.
Source: Alaska 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 20, 2010
Mitch Daniels:
Lift backward-looking limits on charter schools
First, this Assembly heeded the call of President Obama and others and lifted Indiana's backward-looking limits on charter schools and on considering student achievement in evaluating teachers. Then our Professional Standards
Board, led by our superb new Superintendent Tony Bennett, acted to strengthen standards for new teachers, and to open both classroom and leadership positions to those whose hearts call them to teaching from other walks of life.
Source: Indiana 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 19, 2010
Joe Manchin III:
$540 million in ongoing school construction
Last July, WV became the first state to use the Qualified School Construction Bonds statewide, letting us build or improve dozens of schools at a much lower cost. We currently have $540 million in ongoing school construction--the largest amount in the
history of the School Building Authority, but much more needs to be done.I am asking the Legislature to give the SBA more borrowing flexibility. This will allow us to create a steady revenue stream and provide safer schools at cheaper bond rates.
Source: West Virginia 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 13, 2010
Pat Quinn:
Race to the Top: Invest in elementary & secondary education
We worked hard on getting a law passed that can make a difference for years to come, called "Race to the Top," accountable education, with up to half a billion dollars in federal money, to make sure our education in our state at the elementary and
secondary level is second to none.I think it's up to 340 schools districts, have already signed on to participate in this program. Education is the key to economic empowerment. It's the best way for equal opportunity for the most people in a democracy
Source: Illinois 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 13, 2010
Sonny Perdue:
Tie teacher pay to student achievement
Two years ago, our IE squared legislation began freeing systems from state mandates, bringing innovative thinking into their schools, while committing contractually to measurable student improvement. This radical move forward in education policy is
already producing results.Yesterday morning, I outlined a proposal that would tie teacher pay to student achievement. Some will defend the status quo, but it's hard for me to believe that tying pay to performance is anything other than commonsense.
Source: Georgia 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 13, 2010
Jan Brewer:
We lead in school choice: district, private, or charter
Isn't it astonishing that in Arizona today, Bill Gates would not be considered qualified to teach students about computer science? We must stop our gate keeping and open the doors to all qualified and skilled citizens who want to teach our children.
That said--teachers are only one part of the education equation. Engaged parents must balance educators' contributions and play an active role in their children's learning. No teacher can ever substitute for an involved parent.
But we must give parents the ability to make the best choices for their children.
Starting with where they go to school. We lead the nation in school choice. In Arizona --a parent's right to choose the best school must endure--whether that's a
district, private, charter or home school. We must also arm parents with the information they need to help monitor their children's academic progress. We will make sure they have up-to-date data that is available on-line --at any time.
Source: Arizona 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 11, 2010
Mark Parkinson:
World-class public school system is investment in future
Our founders shared a vision of great public schools and outstanding universities. In the early years, our leaders understood the importance of a great higher education system. They established Kansas State University in 1863, just two years after
Kansas became a state. Since then we have formed six other major universities, 19 community colleges and seven technical schools and colleges.The same can be said of our investment in our public schools. While other states were shy to adopt public
education, we embraced it. Our leaders made the conscious decision clear back in the 1860s to spend money on public education. This commitment to public schools was not one time or intermittent; it was long-lasting.
It is at the very essence of what makes Kansas, Kansas.
Throughout our history this has worked. We developed a world class public school system. It happened because those that came before us had vision and the courage to make investments in our future.
Source: Kansas 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 11, 2010
Arnold Schwarzenegger:
Until now, children were trapped in low-performing schools
And there are two accomplishments in particular I want to recognize here today. Just last night the Assembly passed major educational reform, reform that once seemed impossible but now will become law as soon as it hits my desk.For too many years,
too many children were trapped in low-performing schools. The exit doors may as well have been chained. Now, for the first time, parents--without the principal's permission--have the right to free their children from these destructive schools.
That is great freedom.
Also in the past, parents had no power to bring about change in their children's schools but that will now change too. Parents will now have the means to get rid of incompetent principals and take other necessary steps to improve
their children's education.
And to increase accountability, we finally broke down that firewall so that teachers' performance can be linked to students' performance.
Source: California 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 6, 2010
Page last updated: Dec 03, 2018