State of Connecticut Archives: on Education

Bob Stefanowski: Well-educated, high-earning graduates are leaving the state

Even with Connecticut graduates topping the national charts of the highest-earning graduates, our state is still facing a crisis with most graduates moving away. We are losing jobs and losing our well educated young adults to other states. The business climate in Connecticut is not attractive for young workers. Bob wants to build businesses, grow our economy, and bring in new workers. Starting with a welcoming business climate, he wants to bring innovative and startup jobs to Connecticut. Source: 2018 CT Gubernatorial race website BobForGovernor.com Sep 1, 2018

Chris Murphy: Keep student loan rates at 3.4% instead of 6%

Murphy said he supported extending the current 3.4% interest rate on student loans that was set to expire at the end of the year if Congress does not take action. He said if the rates were not extended, college students would see interest rates on loans increase to more than 6%, which would severely hinder many students and families ability to afford a college education. "That could be $5,000 or more out of the pocket of the average student here at UConn," Murphy said of the new interest rates. Source: East Haven Patch on 2012 CT Senate debates Apr 9, 2012

David Walker: More K-12 parental involvement and choice

Connecticut's K-12 education system suffers from the largest achievement gaps in the country; they must be addressed. This should include promoting more parental involvement and choice, constructive competition, the adoption of proven best practices, and increased time in and resources allocated to classroom related matters. Connecticut also needs to modernize the current state education funding formula and ensure that is adequately funded. Source: 2014 CT Lt. Gubernatorial campaign website, WalkerForCT.com Jul 2, 2014

Jodi Rell: Supports Head Start & early childhood education

Support national standards and testing of public school students.
Increase state funds for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
Increase funding for Head Start programs.
Rell adds, "I strongly support increased early childhood education access."

Source: 2006 CT Gubernatorial National Political Awareness Test Nov 7, 2006

Joe Visconti: Oppose Common Core testing and curriculum

Dan Malloy has brought Common Core testing and curriculum to Connecticut and it is not wanted by teachers, parents, and students alike. Criticized as a standard to prepare students to be "workers, rather than thinkers," Common Core promises to be a costly social experiment to federalize education.

Intervene in the Common Core issue and provide parents with the clear option of opting out of government testing.
Protect the arts and literature in education. Political indoctrination, introduced alongside Common Core, must also be eliminated from the classroom and identified for what it is.
Bring back basic education where teachers can teach without state and federal bureaucrats looking over their shoulder scrutinizing their performance on every assignment or task they initiate.
Remove government interference in the teacher--parent--student relationship. Children must not be treated as a mechanism but as human beings.

Source: 2014 CT gubernatorial campaign website ViscontiForGovernor Nov 1, 2014

Joe Visconti: 4-year state income tax break for grads who stay in CT

Connecticut cities and towns have invested heavily on local education budgets only to see students then graduate and move out of state for more career opportunities. Our educated youth play a vital role in Connecticut's future and we must provide them with opportunities and incentives to continue to make this state their home. Connecticut can help young adults with Joe's plan to provide a four-year state income tax break to any and all Connecticut residents who graduate with a Bachelor's degree or higher from any accredited college or university in the US if they will remain in Connecticut for 4 years after graduation.

Makes it easier for them to make it on their own, despite being saddled with significant debt in the form of student loans.
Provides an incentive for students to complete at least a four year degree and not drop out.
Helps build a pool of educated entry level workers for businesses to hire.

Source: 2014 CT gubernatorial campaign website ViscontiForGovernor Nov 1, 2014

Susan Bysiewicz: Tie federal aid to schools' efforts to control tuition costs

The event began with a question about how to control the rise of student debt. Murphy said he is working to convince Congress to prevent a July 1 interest rate hike from 3.4% to 6.8% on Stafford loans for low- and middle-income students.

Bysiewicz and Tong suggested tying federal aid to schools' efforts to control tuition costs. As a mother with two daughters in college and one son heading there, Bysiewicz said she is keenly aware of the issue.

Source: Westport News coverage of 2012 CT Senate debates Apr 10, 2012

Susan Bysiewicz: Hold colleges accountable for rising tuition

On education, both candidates agreed Congress should fight to keep interest rates on student loans from rising and protect the federally funded Pell Grant system. Both also advocated for holding colleges accountable for rising tuition, through laws that would limit federal funding for universities that do not limit tuition increases. Source: Easton Daily Voice on 2012 CT Senate debate May 24, 2012

The above quotations are from State of Connecticut Politicians: Archives. Click here for definitions & background information on Education. Click here for other issues (main summary page).
*2016 Presidential contenders on Education:*
	*Republicans:* ~~Gov.Jeb Bush~~(FL) ~~Dr.Ben Carson~~(MD) ~~Gov.Chris Christie~~(NJ) Sen.Ted Cruz(TX) Carly Fiorina(CA) ~~Gov.Jim Gilmore~~(VA) ~~Sen.Lindsey Graham~~(SC) ~~Gov.Mike Huckabee~~(AR) ~~Gov.Bobby Jindal~~(LA) Gov.John Kasich(OH) ~~Gov.Sarah Palin~~(AK) ~~Gov.George Pataki~~(NY) ~~Sen.Rand Paul~~(KY) ~~Gov.Rick Perry~~(TX) ~~Sen.Rob Portman~~(OH) Sen.Marco Rubio(FL) ~~Sen.Rick Santorum~~(PA) Donald Trump(NY) ~~Gov.Scott Walker~~(WI)	*Democrats:* ~~Gov.Lincoln Chafee~~(RI) Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY) ~~V.P.Joe Biden~~(DE) ~~Gov.Martin O`Malley~~(MD) Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT) ~~Sen.Elizabeth Warren~~(MA) ~~Sen.Jim Webb~~(VA) *2016 Third Party Candidates:* ~~Gov.Gary Johnson~~(L-NM) Roseanne Barr(PF-HI) Robert Steele(L-NY) Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023