State of Arkansas Archives: on Education
Anthony Bland:
We need real investment in education to support all students
Improving education in the state will be a pillar of Bland's campaign platform, the educator, who has a doctorate in business administration, said during his announcement speech. "We need to create opportunities for our state that will
keep families here," Bland said. "We need real investment in education that will support all students."
Source: Arkansas Democrat Gazette on 2022 Arkansas Governor race
Jun 24, 2021
Asa Hutchinson:
Post the Ten Commandments in public school buildings
Question topic: Efforts to bring Islamic law (shariah) to America do not pose a threat to our country and its Constitution.Hutchinson: Strongly Disagree.
Question topic: Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Hutchinson: Strongly Agree.
Question topic: The Ten Commandments should not be displayed in public school buildings.
Hutchinson: Strongly Disagree.
Question topic: Religious freedom is our most foundational freedom and deserves added protection in our state and federal constitutions.
Hutchinson: Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2013 Arkansas Governor campaign
Sep 28, 2014
Asa Hutchinson:
ArFuture Grants: pay tuition & stay in state for 3 years
It is essential that we, as a state, give every high school student a simple promise: If you pursue a high need job skill or degree, then we will assure you that all your tuition and mandatory fees will be paid through a two-year college
program or technical school. It is a simple promise with a big return for our state and the next generation. It is called ArFuture Grants and it will require a mentoring program for the student.
It will require working in the state for three years after college. But it will be created with existing program funds and used in combination with other education funds that are already available.
Because of ArFutures, it will be not only possible, but practical, for a student to get two-year degree or certificate without any student debt.
Source: 2017 Arkansas State of the State address
Jan 10, 2017
Asa Hutchinson:
Fund colleges based on productivity
When they get to college, we want them to succeed, which is why we worked to change the way we fund our universities & colleges. In 2017, we passed the Higher Education Productivity Funding Formula. Now we base the funding of our 10 public universities
and our 22 community colleges on how well students perform and progress rather than how many students show up on the first day of class. We want students who enroll in our universities to graduate or earn a certificate and move on to good careers.
Source: 2018 Arkansas State of the State address
Feb 12, 2018
Asa Hutchinson:
Invest in tech education & early education
We have invested in technology education, and as a result, we lead the nation in computer science education of our students. We have invested in pre-K education. Our budget for pre-K has increased from $111 million to $114 million in recent years.
We rank 17th nationally in spending on pre-K and Number 18 in four-year-old pre-K access; and we rank Number 5 in the nation in terms of three-year-old access to early education.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Arkansas legislature
Jan 15, 2019
Asa Hutchinson:
Raise average teacher salaries $2,000 over next two years
When it comes to our public schools, I support another round of increased pay for teachers. My goal is to raise average teacher salaries by $2,000 over the next two years.
You have already signaled your support to raise teacher pay. You've paved the way, you've led the way, and we can work together to accomplish this goal.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Arkansas legislature
Jan 12, 2021
Bruce Westerman:
Supports charter schools; opposes Common Core
Q: Do you support national education standards?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support requiring public schools to administer high school exit exams?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support using a merit pay system for teachers?
A: Yes.
Q:
Do you support state funding for charter schools?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support the state government providing college students with financial aid?
A: Yes.
Q: Should illegal immigrants who graduate from Arkansas high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
A: No.
Westerman adds, "I support national education standards as long as they are the highest of quality and states
have the right to accept or reject the standards. I do not support the current Common Core draft of national education standards which show some merit, but in general, are a watered down, middle of the road attempt at national standards."
Source: Arkansas Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Chris Jones:
All children should have access to high quality preschool
All children in Arkansas should have access to a high quality preschool in their own community-- where they can get the foundation they need to start school. Only a third of Arkansas students read on-level by the end of third grade,
creating lifelong learning challenges. Chris Jones supports passing a new comprehensive state law that will put intervention measures in place to keep kids on track.
Source: 2022 Arkansas Governor campaign website ChrisForGovernor.com
May 26, 2022
Chris Jones:
Enable low-to-no cost community college degrees
Arkansans of all ages should have access to technical schools and workforce training scholarships. We need to elevate the community college system to provide low-to-no cost degrees and opportunities that will create a competitive, highly skilled
Arkansas workforce. The costs of college -- from tuition to building costs -- are growing unchecked. Chris Jones supports passing new laws to rework punitive productivity-based funding formulas.
Source: 2022 Arkansas Governor campaign website ChrisForGovernor.com
May 26, 2022
Conner Eldridge:
I attended public schools and I will prioritize education
Former prosecutor and U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge launched his campaign for the U.S. Senate Saturday at his family business in Augusta. Job creation, education, and national debt are just a few of the issues
Eldridge said he will prioritize as senator. `These problems have real consequences that I've seen growing up here in Augusta, attending the public school just down the road, working on the farm in
Lonoke, working with businesses to invest in growing the local economies of Arkadelphia and communities across the southwest and central areas of the state and for the past four and a half years, working with law enforcement
and leaders across the state to make Arkansas a safer place to live,` Eldridge said. Eldridge grew up in Augusta and Lonoke and earned his law degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Source: WMC Action News 5 on 2016 Arkansas Senate race
Oct 19, 2015
Curtis Coleman:
Opposes mandatory reforms for competitive federal grants
Q: Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants?
Coleman: No
Source: Vote Smart Arkansas 2016 Political Courage Test
Sep 1, 2016
Dan Whitfield:
Cap the interest rate on Federal Student Loans at 1-2%
education in order to better our society. We also need to start promoting the continuing of education after high school. We need to promote vocational training and college degrees. I understand not everyone wants to get a degree, but the option
should be there. Let's focus on supplying vocational training for those not wanting a degree and helping support our future working class by providing free college tuition to community colleges.
Source: 2020 Arkansas Senate campaign website DanWhitCongress.us
Nov 30, 2019
Dan Whitfield:
Raise teachers' salaries from $33K to $40K
education in order to better our society. We also need to start promoting the continuing of education after high school. We need to promote vocational training and college degrees. I understand not everyone wants to get a degree, but the option
should be there. Let's focus on supplying vocational training for those not wanting a degree and helping support our future working class by providing free college tuition to community colleges.
A few months ago, we raised teachers minimum wage to $36,000, but that isn't enough. I propose we raise teacher's minimum to $40,000. We can do this by improving the economies in rural towns.
We need to bring industry to these areas which will bring more income to their communities. We can do this with new cash crops and clean energy.
Source: 2020 Arkansas Senate campaign website DanWhitCongress.us
Nov 30, 2019
Dan Whitfield:
Free college for 2-year degrees; lower interest rates
I support free college tuition for 2 year degrees, with the ability to continue at no cost to the student if they have a 3.0+ GPA. I propose we cap the interest rate on Federal Student Loans at 1-2%, the current rate is 4.5%+.
It's time we stop punishing our youth with endless interest payments and start rewarding them for furthering their education in order to better our society.
Source: 2020 Arkansas Senate campaign website DanWhitCongress.us
Jun 8, 2020
Dan Whitfield:
Promote vocational training for those not going to college
We also need to start promoting the continuing of education after high school. We need to promote vocational training and college degrees. I understand not everyone wants to get a degree, but the option should be there.
Let's focus on supplying vocational training for those not wanting a degree and helping support our future working class by providing free college tuition to community colleges.
Source: 2020 Arkansas Senate campaign website DanWhitCongress.us
Jun 8, 2020
Dan Whitfield:
Raise teacher's minimum salary to $40,000
In Arkansas the beginning salary for a teacher averages at $33,973. This has created the problem where we lose so many quality teachers to other professions that our children are suffering. We need teachers' pay to reflect the importance of the job they
have, to mold and prepare the future of our society. A few months ago, we raised teachers minimum wage to $36,000, but that isn't enough. I propose we raise teacher's minimum to $40,000.
Source: 2020 Arkansas Senate campaign website DanWhitCongress.us
Jun 8, 2020
Jared Henderson:
Education is the catalyst to strong economy and prosperity
"Education is central to our future," he said. "It's broader than just the strength of education, how much our students are learning. It is also critical input to our poverty rates, to our economic development, a whole host of issues." "In 10 years,
Arkansas needs to be one of the best places in the U.S. to be a teacher," he said. "That needs to be our guiding goal, our North Star. We do that, we'll build an education system that can prepare our kids for jobs that we don't even know exist yet."
Source: ArkansasMatters.com on 2018 Arkansas Gubernatorial race
Dec 12, 2017
Leslie Rutledge:
First in education which includes school choice
As Governor, Rutledge will work to make Arkansas first. First in education which includes school choice, first in workforce development,
first in job creation, first in tax reform, first in manufacturing, first in technology, and first in pro-life protections.
Source: 2021 Arkansas Governor campaign website LeslieRutledge.com
Apr 6, 2021
Mark West:
De-link funding from standardized tests; then vouchers ok
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Vouchers for school choice"?
A: Support only in conjunction with ending the practice of tying local school funding to performance based on standardized tests.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Arkansas governor candidate
Apr 28, 2018
Mike Beebe:
Teach science and math using new, national methods
We have a new statewide initiative called STEM Works that will change the way we teach science, technology, engineering and math in Arkansas's schools. The goal is make Arkansas more competitive for high-wage jobs in a global economy.
Many children are familiar with computers before they even begin school, but we teach using the same methods we have used for centuries. STEM Works will use new methods already producing results in classrooms across the country and around the world.
Source: Arkansas 2011 gubernatorial press release #3038
Aug 18, 2011
Mike Huckabee:
First priority: Raise teacher salaries
Our basic constitutional responsibility is to provide for free, equitable and adequate public education for students through the 12th grade. I would recommend that we set for ourselves the task of raising teacher salaries in this state by $3,000,
recognizing that's not enough and it's not the finish line but it's a good starting point. If we don't raise those salaries at least by that kind of money, we are going to be further and further behind.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to the Arkansas legislature
Jan 9, 2001
Mike Ross:
AdWatch: Unwavering commitment to our children and schools
Ross' first TV ad in the Governor's race is a 30-second commercial featuring Gov. Mike Beebe (D), who declares: "We need a governor and proven leader middle-class families can count on--that's Mike Ross. Mike Ross has the common sense leadership style
that will make our economy work for everyone. His commitment to our children and schools is unwavering. And no one is more independent than Mike. So please join me in supporting Mike Ross for Governor."Ross provided this statement regarding the ad:
"Arkansas has made tremendous progress under Governor Beebe--which is why he continues to be the most popular governor in America," said Ross. "I am very proud to have Gov. Beebe's support for our campaign focused on Arkansas's future. I want to build
on the foundations Gov. Beebe has laid in the areas of education, job creation, tax relief and fiscal responsibility, and I want to use my experience of bringing people together to unite this state and make Arkansas an even better place to call home."
Source: Arkansas Matters AdWatch on 2014 Arkansas gubernatorial race
Jan 5, 2014
Natalie James:
Strengthen public school system; prioritize Pre-K education
As your Senator, she will:- Strengthen our public school system;
- Prioritize Pre-K education;
-
Defend Educators and advocate for school resources, and
- Rollback the cost of higher education and ease the burden of student loan debt.
Source: 2022 Arkansas Senate campaign website JamesForArkansas.com
Jun 7, 2022
Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
Offer more choices to parents of kids in failing schools
I will champion good schools and good teachers, but also offer more choices to parents of kids in failing schools.
Every child must have the opportunity of a quality education, and no child should ever be trapped in a life of poverty and despair.
Source: Rev.com e-zine on 2022 Arkansas gubernatorial race
Nov 12, 2020
Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
Offer more choices to parents of kids in failing schools
[On school choice]: "I will champion good schools and good teachers, but also offer more choices to parents of kids in failing schools,"
she continued. "Every child must have the opportunity of a quality education--and no child should ever be trapped in a life of poverty and despair."
Source: Fox News on 2022 Arkansas Governor race
Apr 6, 2021
Tim Griffin:
Wants more parental choice in education
Tim Griffin grew up in Magnolia, Arkansas, a fifth-generation Arkansan and the youngest son of a minister and teacher. He was first elected the lieutenant governor of Arkansas on November 4, 2014 and is currently serving his second four-year term.
He is focused on growing jobs through aggressively pursuing economic development, more parental choice in education and boldly reforming state government.
Source: 2022 Arkansas TimGriffinForGovernor.com campaign website
Dec 10, 2020
Tim Griffin:
Looks forward to school choice funding of religious schools
The Supreme Court's decision in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue marks an important win for children, their parents, and the communities where they live. The Court correctly ruled that a State cannot bar private schools from school choice
programs simply because they are religious. Equipped with this ruling, I look forward to working with the Arkansas legislature and the governor to take bold action and further expand educational freedom for parents and children in the 2021 session.
Source: Lt. Governor press release for 2022 Arkansas governor race
Jun 30, 2020
Tom Cotton:
Cut funding to schools using 1619 Project about slavery
A New York Times-based school curriculum emphasizing American slavery has been targeted by Cotton. "The 1619 Project is left-wing propaganda. It's revisionist history at its worst," he said. "Curriculum is a matter for local decisions
and if local left-wing school boards want to fill their children's heads with anti-American rot, that's their regrettable choice. But they ought not to benefit from federal tax dollars to teach America's children to hate America," he said.
Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on 2020 Arkansas Senate race
Jul 26, 2020
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023