2024 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Education
Andy Beshear:
It's time to pass universal pre-K for all our 4-year-olds
Our educators are difference-makers every day. Let's show them that we appreciate what they do by funding an 11% raise for every public school employee. See, we have fallen behind--Kentucky ranks 44th in starting teacher pay and 40th in average
teacher pay. That is unacceptable, and it is hard to understand why we have not been able to come together and get this done for our educators, especially when our neighbors are figuring it out.
As for our youngest learners, it's time to pass universal pre-K for all our 4-year-olds. We are rightfully concerned about learning loss. So, we should address it where it begins.
In the last academic year, only 46% of kindergartners were considered kindergarten-ready. Instituting universal pre-K the right way … means investing in both pre-K and our child-care providers.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Kentucky legislature
Jan 3, 2024
Phil Scott:
Our education infrastructure is too large for number served
Keep in mind, the Education Fund is now more than $2.1 billion dollars. With fewer than 83,000 Pre-K through 12 students, we're spending about $25,000 a year per student, among the very highest in the country.
It's the result of an education infrastructure that is too large for the number it serves, so not enough money is making it to the kids.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Vermont legislature
Jan 4, 2024
Phil Scott:
Our education infrastructure is too large for number served
Keep in mind, the Education Fund is now more than $2.1 billion dollars. With fewer than 83,000 Pre-K through 12 students, we're spending about $25,000 a year per student, among the very highest in the country.
It's the result of an education infrastructure that is too large for the number it serves, so not enough money is making it to the kids.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Vermont legislature
Jan 4, 2024
Brad Little:
I will continue to expand school choice in Idaho
We are a leader in education freedom. Idaho is a top ten state for charter schools, and I'm bringing a bill this session to cut more red tape to support charter schools while providing taxpayers the transparency they deserve. Idaho was the first state
to ban critical race theory in our schools. We're taking a stand that we should NOT divide our children. We introduced a new history curriculum for Idaho schools, one that teaches students to appreciate and respect our country.And we are a leader
in education freedom. I will continue to support a fair, responsible, transparent, and accountable approach to expanding school choice in Idaho--one that does not draw resources away from our public schools.
My IDAHO WORKS plan proposes the largest
investment EVER in school facility construction and our maintenance match--$2 billion. We get a two-fer! This $2 billion investment in school facilities is $2 billion in long term property tax relief.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Idaho legislature
Jan 8, 2024
Kim Reynolds:
A rising tide of competition and choice lifts all boats
In the face of intense pressure to keep the status quo, we passed one of the boldest school choice programs in the country, kicking off a national revolution. It goes to show that a rising tide of competition and choice really can lift all boats.
Our education policies are working, because--together--we stood firm and passed a law that puts Iowans in charge of their children's future.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to Iowa legislature
Jan 9, 2024
Kim Reynolds:
Put Iowa in top-five states for starting pay for teachers
We want younger Iowans to see the teaching profession as something to aspire to. It's one of the highest callings one can have, so let's make sure that teacher pay sends that message. Tonight I'm asking the legislature to invest
$96 million in new money to increase starting pay by 50%, to $50,000, and set a minimum salary of $62,000 for teachers with at least 12 years of experience. These investments will put Iowa in the top-five states for starting pay.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to Iowa legislature
Jan 9, 2024
Laura Kelly:
I'll continue to reject vouchers; they crush rural schools
I've said our state is back on track academically. Yet some want to turn us back, to reverse the progress we've made--by diverting public education dollars to private schools, or flat out stripping rural schools of the funds they need to stay open.
So tonight, let me be crystal clear: I will not let that happen. I will continue to reject vouchers and any attempt to send public education dollars to private schools. Vouchers will crush our rural schools, plain and simple.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to Kansas legislature
Jan 10, 2024
Phil Murphy:
Let's bring universal pre-K to all of New Jersey
Let us redouble our commitment to bringing universal pre-K to all of New Jersey. To ensure that every family--regardless of their economic status--can afford to send their child to a safe, enriching environment during the day. So far, we have helped
more than 14,000 of our state's children enroll in a pre-K program. And we are just getting started. Because making New Jersey the best place to raise a family means ensuring every child has the support they need to reach their full potential.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the N.J. legislature
Jan 9, 2024
Bill Lee:
We can support choice and public schools at the same time
2024 is the year to make school choice a reality for every Tennessee family. Some are concerned that more choices for families could mean fewer resources for public schools, but that is simply not true.
We can give parents choice and support public schools at the same time. You'll hear me say that over and over again--these two ideas are not in conflict.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Jan 10, 2024
Brian Kemp:
We can take an all-of-the-above approach to education
Some prefer the term school choice or educational freedom, some call them vouchers. I firmly believe we can take an all-of-the-above approach to education… whether it's public, private, homeschooling, charter, or otherwise.
It is time for all parties to get around a table and agree on the best path forward to provide our kids the best educational opportunities we can--because that's what we were elected to do.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Georgia legislature
Jan 11, 2024
Gretchen Whitmer:
Sending a message LOUD and CLEAR: we support our teachers
We're sending a message LOUD and CLEAR: we support our teachers. We walk the walk. We fund scholarships for future educators, pay student teachers, and help full-time teachers with their student loans so they stay in Michigan. We accept out-of-state
certificates, so if you have experience, you can enter the classroom without jumping through bureaucratic hoops. As a result, enrollment rates in Michigan's teacher prep programs are beating other states. If you want to teach, we want you here.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Michigan legislature
Jan 24, 2024
Henry McMaster:
Freeze college tuition for in-state students
We also know that access and affordability to higher education for every South Carolinian is essential to ensuring that we have the trained and skilled workforce to successfully compete for jobs and investment in the future and meet all economic
challenges. Therefore, this marks the fifth year in a row that I have asked the General Assembly to freeze college tuition for in-state students, with an appropriation to our institutions of higher education of $49.8 million.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the S.C. legislature
Jan 24, 2024
Kay Ivey:
Become the most school-choice friendly state in the nation
For some families, that means having the chance to send their child to a charter, magnet or private school, or to homeschool them. School choice is a spectrum, and last year, we recognized we had to first improve our existing options--charter schools
and the Alabama Accountability Act. Now, our next step is to provide our parents, beginning with those most in need, education savings accounts, which will further us on our journey to become the most school-choice friendly state in the nation.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Alabama legislature
Feb 6, 2024
Maura Healey:
Literacy Launch: make Massachusetts first in literacy
Tonight, I am announcing Literacy Launch. Over the next five years, backed by budget investments, we will make the best reading materials available to more districts. Schools using the right materials are seeing major gains. We can bring that impact
to every classroom. We will also mandate that educator training programs teach evidence-based instruction. Massachusetts is home to the first public school, first college, and first library. We are going to be first in literacy, too.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Mass. legislature
Jan 17, 2024
Mike Parson:
Don't care where Missourians are getting a quality education
Our administration and this General Assembly took the first step towards school choice for more Missouri families through our education savings account program. Whether it be public, private, charter, or Christian...
we don't care where Missourians are getting a quality education just as long as they get one.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Missouri legislature
Jan 24, 2024
Jeff Landry:
Put parents back in control, let the money follow the child
When we are done with this session--let us send a message loud and clear--that THE PARENT is the most important voice in a child's education. The steps we need to take are simple:
- ONE: Make all education lead to a vocation.
- TWO: Put parents back in control, and let the money follow the child...
- And THREE: Treat our teachers with respect and reward them when their students are successful.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Louisiana legislature
Mar 11, 2024
John Carney:
Fund literacy coaches to focus on the science of reading
Here's an uncomfortable truth: statewide, less than 40 percent of children are reading proficiently at third grade. And many schools fall short of that average. Imagine if YOUR child went to a school with that kind of result. None of us would tolerate
that. That's why my budget includes funding for a new team of literacy coaches. They will work with educators and district leaders to focus on the science of reading--an effective approach to teaching children how to read.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Delaware legislature
Mar 5, 2024
Mike DeWine:
Future teachers must switch to the Science of Reading
As our K through 12 schools move to the Science of Reading, our colleges and our universities that prepare our future teachers also must make that switch. So today, I am calling on every college and university President in Ohio -- every Provost, every
Dean of a College of Education -- to immediately align their teacher training programs with what we know works -- and that -- that is the Science of Reading.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Ohio legislature
Apr 10, 2024
Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
Expanded education freedom to more than 5000 students
Before this year, Arkansas families had no choice where to send their kids to school. LEARNS expanded education freedom to more than five thousand students in just one year. 50 percent of those students have learning disabilities.
Year One of the LEARNS Act targeted the most at-risk students in our state. But education freedom is for everyone, and soon, Education Freedom Accounts will be too.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Arkansas legislature
Apr 10, 2024
Page last updated: Sep 29, 2024