State of Missouri Archives: on Education

Eric Burlison: Expand charter schools to cities & poor-performing districts

Authorizing the Expansion of Charter Schools: passed House 99-54-10; State Rep. Eric Burlison voted YEA; became law without Governor's signature, June 27, 2012

in a metropolitan/urban school district (over 350,000 inhabitants);
or in a school district that has been declared unaccredited or provisionally accredited by [poor] annual performance reports;
or in a school district that has been fully-accredited if sponsored by the local school board.
For fully-accredited schools, enrollment must exceed 1,550 students of which more than 35% of its student enrollment is able to enroll in charter schools sponsored by the local board.
District school boards which are currently sponsoring a charter school retain their authority regardless of the rules above.

Source: Missouri legislative voting records for S.B. 576 May 15, 2012

Angelica Earl: More money for schools, less debt for students

The standards that are required to be met in order for schools to receive funding are inappropriate. Standardized testing and common core are showing to be failing our children. Education reform is needed. Public colleges need to be publicly sponsored for all to attend without accruing debt. Student loans should not be a profit garnering system. Source: 2018 Missouri Senatorial website AngelicaForMissouri.com Sep 15, 2017

Austin Petersen: Open to experiment with school choice

Missouri Senators actually approved an education proposal in April that would allow tax credit education savings accounts for some students. They would allow them to transfer away from low performing districts and schools. So, in Missouri actually they are looking at these kinds of programs so I think that it is palatable here. Source: Southeast Arrow on 2018 Missouri Senatorial race Nov 17, 2017

Bob Holden: More resources for student and teachers

The best way we can invest in Missouri’s future is by opening new educational opportunities for our children. Education must be our number one priority. The cornerstones of my plan to improve education include: adequate resources, quality teachers, parental involvement, accountability, technology, and a safe environment where students are ready to learn. That task begins by ensuring that Missouri teachers and students have the resources they need to improve performance. Source: 2001 State of the State speech in Missouri House Chambers Jan 30, 2001

Bob Holden: Cash incentive for National Board Certification for teachers

We must encourage our teachers to strengthen their skills, through the National Board Certification program. To receive this certification, teachers go through a rigorous one-year evaluation and examination period. They must demonstrate a mastery of advanced national standards in their subject area. Typically, this process involves more than 200 hours of after school work from teachers. Less than one out of two teachers successfully complete the program the first time; [so far] we only have 44 teachers [certified] in the entire state. I want to see one thousand teachers [certified] in our state over the next four years of my administration.

I am recommending a $5,000 annual salary supplement for any Missouri teacher who completes this program. And those who agree to help mentor other Missouri teachers for certification would receive a ten percent salary supplement.

Source: 2001 State of the State speech in Missouri House Chambers Jan 30, 2001

Bob Holden: Provide parents with school accountability report cards

Unfortunately, many parents don’t have a full and accurate picture of how well their child is doing at school as compared to children at other public schools. I want to give Missouri parents that picture by establishing school accountability report cards This action will go one step beyond our present requirement for school district report cards, so parents will know exactly what is happening at their child’s individual school. Parents will receive information on classroom conditions, the professional qualifications of their child’s teachers, class size, graduation and dropout rates, school safety, and a report on how their tax dollars are being spent. They will be able to find even more extensive information at the school and on the Internet. By holding schools accountable in this way, parents and taxpayers can compare the evaluation of their school with other schools in the area. School report cards will also be useful to other schools--pointing out successful school strategies and practices. Source: 2001 State of the State speech in Missouri House Chambers Jan 30, 2001

Catherine Hanaway: State-funded vouchers for public & private schools

Encourage private or corporate investment in public school programs.
Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any participating school (public, private, religious).
Favor charter schools where independent groups receive state authorization and funding to establish new schools.
Support sex education programs which stress abstinence.

Source: Missouri Legislative 1998 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1998

Chris Koster: 2007: Left GOP to support high-quality public schools

Chris felt an increasing distance from the influence of right wing extremism within the Republican Party. Attacks on medical research and middle class wages, coupled with a lack of support for high-quality public schools were out of step with Chris's governing philosophy. In 2007, he made the decision to change his party in order to preserve his beliefs and joined the Democratic Party. One year later, he was elected Attorney General. Source: 2016 Missouri gubernatorial campaign website ChrisKoster.com Sep 9, 2015

Chris Koster: Increase our investment in education

Q: What are your top three priorities for Missouri?

Chris Koster: First, we need to do more to stimulate economic development in Missouri through a comprehensive economic development bill. Second, we need to increase our investment in education to keep our workforce globally competitive. Finally, we must protect our communities from crime through representative police forces and no leniency for criminals who use a gun.

Source: LWV's Vote411.org on 2016 Missouri Gubernatorial Race Sep 19, 2016

Claire McCaskill: Increase student financial aid, like Pell Grants

Q: Refinance student loans at lower rates, by raising high-earner taxes? Increase student financial aid, like Pell Grants?

Josh Hawley (R): Unclear, but says universities waste billions of public funds and leave families with billions of debt, giving students "worthless degrees" and indoctrinating them in far-left thinking.

Claire McCaskill (D): Yes. Co-sponsored Elizabeth Warren proposal to refinance student loans. Supports increasing Pell Grants.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Missouri Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Eric Greitens: Strongly oppose Common Core; no bureaucrats in charge

WE CAN IMPROVE EDUCATION FOR ALL MISSOURIANS. I believe every child in Missouri has the right to a first-rate education. Too many Missouri children and parents are trapped in failing schools. I will lead efforts to provide more choices and opportunities for kids who need it most. I strongly oppose "Common Core" and believe local parents and teachers--not Washington bureaucrats--should be in charge of our children's education. Source: 2016 Missouri Governor campaign website EricGreitens.com Oct 9, 2015

Eric Schmitt: Defended coach-led prayer in high school as voluntary

Eric defended the religious liberties of a Missouri high school football coach when his Constitutional right was assaulted by an extreme group. The coach was accused of violating the U.S. Constitution for leading his players in prayer. Eric supported the coach's fight against the Freedom From Religion Foundation, making clear the actions of the coach did not violate the Constitution since no player was forced to participate. Source: 2021 Missouri Senate campaign website SchmittForSenate.com May 2, 2021

Eric Schmitt: No evidence of increased threats towards school officials

Schmitt signed a letter protesting an Oct. 4 memorandum from Attorney General Merrick Garland that sought to address an increase in hostility and threats toward school officials. As schools reopened this year, reports have emerged describing intimidation and harassment directed at school board members and other education staff. Schmitt and others said there's no evidence of an increase in threats toward school officials and described the memorandum as an effort to chill free speech. Source: KCUR 89.3 FM (NPR) on 2022 Missouri Senate race Nov 4, 2021

Jason Kander: Expand charter schools, plus more sponsorship options

SB 576 Authorizes the Expansion of Charter Schools
Bill Passed House (99 - 54); Rep. Jason Kander voted Yea

Authorizes the establishment of charter schools in school districts that meet at least 1 of the following criteria: unaccredited; provisionally accredited; accredited districts, if the proposed charter school is sponsored by the local school board and is limited to 35% of the students in the school district.
Authorizes any 2 year vocational or technical school to Authorizes the State Board of Education to review sponsors every 3 years
Requires the sponsor to annually review the charter school through established guidelines.

Source: VoteSmart synopsis of 2011-2012 Missouri voting records May 15, 2012

Jason Kander: Expand charter schools to cities & poor-performing districts

Authorizing the Expansion of Charter Schools: Kander voted YEA on S.B. 576 on May 15, 2012; passed House 99-54-10; became law without Governor's signature, June 27, 2012

in a metropolitan/urban school district (over 350,000 inhabitants);
or in a school district that has been declared unaccredited or provisionally accredited by [poor] annual performance reports;
or in a school district that has been fully-accredited if sponsored by the local school board.
For fully-accredited schools, enrollment must exceed 1,550 students of which more than 35% of its student enrollment is able to enroll in charter schools sponsored by the local board.
District school boards which are currently sponsoring a charter school retain their authority regardless of the rules above.

Source: Missouri legislative voting records for S.B. 576 May 15, 2012

Jay Nixon: Increase education funding by $150 million

We now have a unique opportunity to build a better future for our children. We must seize it. And nothing will have a greater impact on our children's future than the commitment we make now to their education. So in my budget, we increase funding for education. And we increase it by $150 million.

That's $17 million more for early childhood education.
That's $34 million more for higher education;
And that's $100 million more for our K-12 classrooms

Our children are our first priority. They are Missouri's future. Of course, with increased funding, come higher expectations. We expect better test scores, better graduation rates, more college degrees and more Missourians ready to compete for the best jobs in a global economy. We've all got to do better, and that means everybody: students and teachers; parents and principals; coaches and college presidents. Increased funding means increased accountability. Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Missouri Legislature Jan 28, 2013

Jay Nixon: A+ scholarships: community college for every high schooler

My budget includes more than $75 million for our Access and Bright Flight scholarships. And it increases funding for our A+ scholarships, which cover tuition and fees at all our public community colleges.

To qualify for an A+ scholarship, high school students must keep their grades up, have excellent attendance, and stay out of trouble.Since I've been Governor, we've expanded the A+ program to 150 more schools. But there are still schools that aren't part of the A+ program, so their students can't even apply for A+ scholarships.

That's unfair to these kids, and we're going to fix it. This is the year we will expand our A+ scholarship program to every public high school in the state, so that every qualified student in this state has the opportunity to go to community college--tuition free.

Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Missouri Legislature Jan 28, 2013

Jay Nixon: Affordable tuition is highest priority

In 2009, too many kids couldn't afford college--and those who did get a degree were saddled with too much debt. But today, more kids are going to college, getting their degrees--all while taking on far less debt than the national average. We're talking thousands of dollars less. This year, we will strengthen Missouri's position as a leader in college affordability and quality. First, my budget includes an additional $56 million in performance funding. And with this historic investment, our public colleges and universities will once again freeze tuition for Missouri undergraduates. Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Missouri legislature Jan 20, 2016

Jay Nixon: Fund public schools, don't develop voucher schemes

Even during the worst of the recession, we never backed away from our commitment to support our public schools. There were some who doubted whether our students and schools were up to the challenge, who said the new state standards were too tough, too ambitious. I disagreed. I knew that if we raised our expectations, our students would rise to meet them. No gimmicks or voucher schemes--just great teachers, the right tools, strong communities, and a shared commitment to excellence. Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Missouri legislature Jan 20, 2016

Jay Nixon: Allow expanding charter schools to poor-performing districts

Authorizing the Expansion of Charter Schools: S.B. 576 passed House 99-54-10 on May 15, 2012; became law without Governor's signature, June 27, 2012

in a metropolitan/urban school district (over 350,000 inhabitants);
or in a school district that has been declared unaccredited or provisionally accredited by [poor] annual performance reports;
or in a school district that has been fully-accredited if sponsored by the local school board.
For fully-accredited schools, enrollment must exceed 1,550 students of which more than 35% of its student enrollment is able to enroll in charter schools sponsored by the local board.
District school boards which are currently sponsoring a charter school retain their authority regardless of the rules above.

Source: Missouri legislative voting records for S.B. 576 May 15, 2012

John Brunner: Reject federal Common Core standards

Put students first. Missouri students are not common. Therefore, we reject federal Common Core standards! Instead, we will fight for the standard of excellence that Missouri parents expect from our public schools. My Mission:

Stop Common Core.
Get Jefferson City Bureaucrats out of our public schools.
Promote innovation in local school districts by providing more freedom and opportunity to institute new programs.
Authorize charities and foundations to invest seed money in developing new programs in partnerships with schools.
Get children out of failing schools, and assist parents by giving them greater freedom to choose the best schools for their kids.
Encourage merit programs that reward the best and most successful teachers.
Get back to the basics and ensure children graduate from high school with a solid foundation of Math, Science and English.
Return the power to the parents and the local school boards.
Give teachers the freedom to teach.

Source: 2016 Missouri gubernatorial campaign website JohnBrunner.com May 10, 2016

Josh Hawley: Excluding religious school choice amounts to discrimination

In 2007, Jon Huntsman Jr., then the governor of Utah, signed a statewide school voucher program into law. The "Parent Choice in Education Act" enabled all children in the state to access a scholarship to attend any private school of their choosing.

Opponents of school choice decry the use of public money to fund private schools. There is a wrinkle: the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and, more specifically for Missourians, the Blaine Amendment to the Missouri Constitution, which stipulates that "no money shall ever be taken from the public treasury, directly or indirectly, in aid of any church, sect or denomination of religion."

In 2002, the Supreme Court ruled that excluding religious institutions from school choice programs and funding amounted to discrimination. The court is currently weighing a challenge to Missouri's Blaine Amendment. Newly inaugurated Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley insists, "Blaine Amendments cannot be allowed to trump the First Amendment."

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch on 2018 Missouri Senate race Jan 20, 2017

Josh Hawley: Give religious schools state educational resources

Q: Provide vouchers to send children to private schools with public money?

Josh Hawley (R): Has supported eligibility of religious schools for state resources. Position unclear on vouchers.

Claire McCaskill (D): No.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Missouri Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Josh Hawley: Universities provide worthless degrees and waste billions

Q: Refinance student loans at lower rates, by raising high-earner taxes? Increase student financial aid, like Pell Grants?

Claire McCaskill (D): Yes. Co-sponsored Elizabeth Warren proposal to refinance student loans. Supports increasing Pell Grants.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Missouri Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Lester Turilli: Let local school districts responsibly determine curriculum

Q: Your comments on the statement, "Vouchers for school choice"?

A: Standing with teachers in educational advances will improve our schools.Constrictive attitudes toward teacher performance will not improve learning systems and test scores. Educators should be given consistent expectations of teaching material and insight into assessment testing. I stand behind local school districts responsibly determining the curriculum to be used to educate their students. I support religious freedom and liberty for administrators, teachers, and students. We believe the Bible and Christianity should be an integral part of curriculum development for its literary content, moral compass, and historical contribution to our nation and other world cultures. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).

Source: Email interview on 2016 Missouri candidacy by OnTheIssues Apr 25, 2016

Lucas Kunce: Universities rely on full-paying Chinese STEM students

Higher education is a competitive world, fueled by dollars and discoveries. Our legislatures have defunded higher education for years, and the universities need the full-paying tuition, the STEM students, and the research money that America isn't providing them. So they get them from China. Which allows China to exploit our institutions and federal research funding to leapfrog us in key technologies like quantum computing. Source: The American Prospect on 2022 Missouri Senate race Dec 9, 2020

Mike Kehoe: Bar schools reopening more than 14 days before Labor Day

In his first legislative session in the executive branch, the former Senate Majority Floor Leader successfully lobbied for a bill aimed at boosting tourism by barring schools from starting earlier than 14 days before Labor Day. Local superintendents weren't happy about the idea, but tourism operators had lamented seeing more families ending vacations in early August and were excited about getting another summer weekend to make money. Source: Springfield News-Leader on 2022 Missouri Senate race Sep 26, 2019

Mike Kehoe: Fund higher education as long as they're producing

Kehoe said current Gov. Mike Parson is more supportive of funding higher education in an "appropriate manner."

"I think those institutions should be accountable," Kehoe said. "We have a measurement system our higher education institutions all use. So I think as long as they're producing and we're not just pouring money into a bottomless pit, then that's fine."

Source: Northwest Missourian on 2022 Missouri Senate race Nov 13, 2019

Mike Kehoe: Arts not a cure-all, but can give young people alternatives

Kehoe said arts are not a cure-all to social problems, "but it certainly does give, especially young people, some alternatives, and so it's important that we continue to try to promote what arts can do, especially in our school systems, to give these young people alternatives" to things such as becoming absorbed in social media or running with "the wrong crowd."

"And if they have some talents, it's a good time to start developing them," he added.

Source: Jefferson City News Tribune on 2022 Missouri Senate race Dec 1, 2019

Mike Parson: $400M in bonds to repair college campuses

Parson proposed legislation that allowed $400 million in bonds to be used to repair college campuses and state buildings. The proposal covered roof repairs, additions for handicap accessibility and heating and cooling system repairs. Parson has also questioned cuts to higher education. As senator, he criticized the proposed $7.6 million cut to the UM System in 2016. He also said that states should be careful about punishing universities through budget cuts since it could harm students. Source: Columbia Missourian on 2018 Missouri Gubernatorial race Feb 23, 2018

Mike Parson: Invest in advanced training in high demand areas

My budget calls for a total investment of nearly $75 million dollars into workforce development programs. I am advocating that we provide $22 million dollars to fund a program known as Fast Track. Fast Track will allow Missourians to receive advanced training in high-demand areas largely taught at our community colleges, technical schools, and colleges and universities. This will open the doors for Missourians to have opportunities to earn more money for their hard work. Source: 2020 Missouri State of the State address Jan 15, 2020

Mike Parson: Cut education budget after COVID revenue shortfalls

Q: Increase K-12 public funding? Stand on higher ed funding?

Mike Parson: No. Made cuts in state K-12 budget and higher ed to meet COVID-related shortfalls. "We've had to face the reality of the situation and make some extremely difficult decisions."

Nicole Galloway: Yes. Eliminate big business giveaways. Put more money in classrooms, pay teachers what they deserve, expand pre-kindergarten. Students deserve to pursue higher education without accruing mountains of debt.

Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race Nov 3, 2020

Mike Parson: Declared "Missouri School Choice Week"

Q: Use public funding for private and/or for-profit schools?

Mike Parson: Yes. Declared week of Jan. 26 "Missouri School Choice Week" as a "nonpartisan" effort to shine a "positive spotlight on effective education options for students."

Nicole Galloway: No. Wants tighter oversight of charter schools. "Using tax $ to fund charter schools" weakens public schools. Will "strengthen the state's commitment to public schools."

Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race Nov 3, 2020

Mike Parson: Raise teacher pay in every corner of this state

Unfortunately, Missouri is currently ranked 50th in United States for starting teacher pay and half of our new teachers leave the profession by their fifth year. This is unacceptable, and we must do better. That is why we are proposing to raise teacher pay in every corner of this state. By partnering with local school districts, we can increase the baseline salary for new teachers to $38,000 dollars... and take the first step in addressing this issue. Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Missouri legislature Jan 19, 2022

Nancy Farmer: Supports charter schools and privately-run schools

Encourage private or corporate investment in certain public school programs.
Implement charter schools where teachers and other professionals receive state authorization and funding to establish new schools.
Require the use of state-wide achievement standards for all state public schools.
Emphasize local control of education as long as the school district meets state health and safety standards.

Source: 1996 Missouri National Political Awareness Test Jul 2, 1996

Nicole Galloway: Pay teachers what they deserve; expand pre-K

Q: Increase K-12 public funding? Stand on higher ed funding?

Mike Parson: No. Made cuts in state K-12 budget and higher ed to meet COVID-related shortfalls. "We've had to face the reality of the situation and make some extremely difficult decisions."

Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race Nov 3, 2020

Nicole Galloway: Strengthen the state's commitment to public schools

Q: Use public funding for private and/or for-profit schools?

Nicole Galloway: No. Wants tighter oversight of charter schools. "Using tax $ to fund charter schools" weakens public schools. Will "strengthen the state's commitment to public schools."

Mike Parson: Yes. Declared week of Jan. 26 "Missouri School Choice Week" as a "nonpartisan" effort to shine a "positive spotlight on effective education options for students."

Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race Nov 3, 2020

Peter Kinder: Fight for school choice & charter schools

Grow Educational Freedom: Peter will continue his fight for comprehensive educational reform, including school choice, the spread of charter schools and opposition to federal overreach including Common Core. Source: 2016 Missouri Gubernatorial campaign website PeterKinder.com Sep 9, 2015

Sarah Steelman: More competition in college loans; end federal monopoly

The candidates also were asked about their stance on the federal student loan interest rate, which will double to 6.8% on July 1 without Congressional action.

Steelman said she would have to take a closer look at the proposal but said she supported more competition in the sector because "the federal government has a monopoly now on student loans."

Brunner didn't answer whether he would support keeping the rates at their lower level but said the whole college finance system needed a "fresh look."

Akin said the government should be out of the student loan market altogether. "America has got the equivalent of the stage three cancer of socialism because the federal government is tampering in all kinds of stuff it has no business tampering in," he said.

Source: Columbia Daily Tribune on 2012 Missouri Senate debate Apr 22, 2012

Scott Sifton: Fought for improved teacher pay and district facilities

Scott's career in public service has made an important difference across Missouri. He fought for improved teacher pay and district facilities as a member of the Affton School Board from 2001 - 2010, serving two terms as Board President. Student test performance improved markedly over his tenure. Source: 2021 Missouri Senate campaign website ScottSifton.com Jun 29, 2021

Todd Akin: Federal government should be out of the student loan market

The candidates also were asked about their stance on the federal student loan interest rate, which will double to 6.8% on July 1 without Congressional action.

Steelman said she would have to take a closer look at the proposal but said she supported more competition in the sector because "the federal government has a monopoly now on student loans."

Brunner didn't answer whether he would support keeping the rates at their lower level but said the whole college finance system needed a "fresh look."

Source: Columbia Daily Tribune on 2012 Missouri Senate debate Apr 22, 2012

Tony Monetti: Public schools that fail our kids do not deserve our support

As an educator, I want our country to produce the world's best-educated students, and well-trained workers. I support school choice. If public schools are not helping students, doesn't it make sense to use tax dollars on private schools that work rather than on public schools that do not? Public schools that fail our kids do not deserve our support. Source: Twitter posting on 2018 Missouri Senate race Feb 18, 2018

Vicky Hartzler: Introduced Police Officers Protecting Children Act

When a retired police officer attended his granddaughter's school music program in a rural part of Missouri, he realized it would take 45 minutes for law enforcement to respond in the case of emergency. He offered to volunteer to stand guard at future events but was told a federal law forbid this. I introduced the Police Officers Protecting Children Act. When approved by local school authorities, a trained law enforcement officer would be able to serve as an armed guard to protect our kids. Source: 2021 Missouri Senate campaign website VickyHartzler.com Jul 9, 2021

Roy Blunt: Student loan forgiveness is monumentally unfair

SEN. ROY BLUNT (R-MO): I just thought it was monumentally unfair to people who didn't go to college because they didn't think they could afford it, unfair to people who paid their loans back, unfair to people who got higher education in an area that the government didn't make loans, and just bad economics. I think it's going to have a long-term devastating effect on a student loan program that worked pretty effectively until the federal government assumed responsibility for that program.

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT): Well, he's wrong. 60% of the benefits go to people who were on Pell grants, 87% of the benefits go to people who are making $75,000 a year. I know it is shocking to some Republicans that the government actually, on occasion, does something to benefit working families and low-income people. I don't hear any of these Republicans squawking when we give massive tax breaks to billionaires.

Source: ABC This Week on 2022 Missouri Senate race Aug 28, 2022

Bill Eigel: Prohibit biological boys from playing in girls sports

Prohibit Biological Boys from playing in Girls Sports: In defense of our daughters right to compete fairly in sports leagues during primary, secondary, and higher education, Bill Eigel supports prohibiting biological boys from participating in any girls sporting event. Source: 2024 Missouri Gubernatorial campaign website BillEigel.com May 24, 2023

Bill Eigel: Ban "hate-based ideology," other "woke" programs in schools

Eliminate Hate-Based Ideologies such as Critical Race Theory, the 1619 Project, and other "woke" programs in public schools: When children are taught to hate their country and each other, the foundation of Missouri and America is at risk. Eigel supports penalties for any school that teaches these damaging ideologies and supports parents' rights to choose different educational paths for their children and their tax dollars where public schools persist in spreading these damaging policies. Source: 2024 Missouri Gubernatorial campaign website BillEigel.com May 24, 2023

Bill Eigel: Give parents access to curricula and lesson plan records

Guarantee Parents Transparent Access to Public School Curriculum and Lesson Plans: Parents have a right to know what's being taught in their children's classrooms. Bill Eigel supports legal requirements for school districts to maintain easy to understand and electronically searchable curricula and lesson plan records, available at all times on the homepage of the website hosted by the district. Source: 2024 Missouri Gubernatorial campaign website BillEigel.com May 24, 2023

Jay Ashcroft: Implemented rules to protect children from obscene content

With oversight over the state's libraries and archives, Jay implemented new rules to protect children from obscene content. He also oversees the securities industry and established new rules requiring banks to notify customers when they invest in ESG products as part of their political agenda. Source: 2024 Missouri Gubernatorial website AshcroftForMissouri.com Jun 2, 2023

Jay Ashcroft: School choice would be a priority of his administration

Ashcroft said school choice would be a priority of his administration. While Parson signed into law the state's limited tax credit education voucher program, school choice advocates want to go further with proposals for open enrollment and expansion of vouchers. "Using that bully pulpit, I can affect the education issue," Ashcroft said. "Maybe for the first time in my lifetime, we'll be able to say that every child in this state actually does have an opportunity to get a challenging education." Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch on 2024 Missouri Gubernatorial race Apr 6, 2023

Mike Kehoe: Expanding school choice is an early priority

Kehoe said his other early priorities are expanding school choice, growing the agriculture industry, and creating a job-friendly environment. "Education is a huge issue, giving parents and children the choice to make sure they're getting the right educational opportunities," he said. "Growing our state's agriculture industry--I'm a first-generation farmer (so) I have a unique look at what it takes to work with Missouri's 95,000 family farmers." Source: MissouriNet on 2024 Missouri Gubernatorial race May 22, 2023

Mike Kehoe: Expand charter schools to cities & poor-performing districts

Authorizing the Expansion of Charter Schools:

in a metropolitan/urban school district (over 350,000 inhabitants);
or in a school district that has been declared unaccredited or provisionally accredited by [poor] annual performance reports;
or in a school district that has been fully-accredited if sponsored by the local school board.
For fully-accredited schools, enrollment must exceed 1,550 students of which more than 35% of its student enrollment is able to enroll in charter schools sponsored by the local board.
District school boards which are currently sponsoring a charter school retain their authority regardless of the rules above.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 99-54-10; State Sen. Mike Kehoe voted YEA; became law without Governor's signature, June 27, 2012 Source: Missouri legislative voting records for S.B. 576 May 15, 2012

Crystal Quade: Continues the fight to fund public schools, higher education

In Jefferson City, she fights to provide educators with the tools and support that they need to ensure that students have access to a quality education, regardless of class, race, religion, gender, or location. As the first in her family to graduate high school and then the first to graduate college, Crystal knows the importance of affordable and accessible education. That's why Crystal continues the fight to fund public schools and higher education in the Missouri budget. Source: 2024 Missouri Gubernatorial race press release "Enshrine" Sep 1, 2023

Jay Ashcroft: Our kids our deluged with inappropriate content

It is more difficult than ever to shield young children from material and images that would've been put behind the counter at the Kum & Go just a few years ago. Our kids our deluged with inappropriate content on television, on the internet, in social media, and throughout our culture.

For parents of young kids, it is a struggle to navigate an increasingly complicated and morally relative society and instill the values we were raised with in a culture that no longer appreciates those values.

Source: 2024 Gubernatorial campaign website AshcroftForMissouri.com Dec 4, 2023

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

Karla May: Don't expand charter schools to cities & other districts

Authorizing the Expansion of Charter Schools: State Rep. Karla May voted NO on S.B. 576 on May 15, 2012; passed House 99-54-10; became law without Governor's signature, June 27, 2012

in a metropolitan/urban school district (over 350,000 inhabitants);
or in a school district that has been declared unaccredited or provisionally accredited by [poor] annual performance reports;
or in a school district that has been fully-accredited if sponsored by the local school board.
For fully-accredited schools, enrollment must exceed 1,550 students of which more than 35% of its student enrollment is able to enroll in charter schools sponsored by the local board.
District school boards which are currently sponsoring a charter school retain their authority regardless of the rules above.

Source: Missouri legislative voting records for S.B. 576 May 15, 2012

Mike Kehoe: Pass voluntary open enrollment in public schools

We know that securing Missouri's future is only possible with a quality education for our children. Strengthening public education, expanding school choice, and empowering parents is critical to ensuring that every single student has the opportunity to get a world class education. To expand school choice, I urge the General Assembly to pass voluntary open enrollment in public schools. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Missouri legislature Jan 28, 2025

The above quotations are from State of Missouri Politicians: Archives. Click here for definitions & background information on Education. Click here for other issues (main summary page).
*2024 Presidential contenders on Education:*
	*Candidates for President & Vice-President:* V.P.Kamala Harris (D-CA) Robert F. Kennedy Jr.(I-CA) Chase Oliver(L-GA) Dr.Jill Stein(D-MA) Former Pres.Donald Trump(R-FL) Sen.J.D.Vance(R-OH) Gov.Tim Walz(D-MN) Dr.Cornel West(I-NJ)	*2024 presidential primary contenders:* Pres.Joe_Biden(D-DE) N.D.Gov.Doug Burgum(R) N.J.Gov.Chris_Christie(R) Fla.Gov.Ron_DeSantis(R) S.C.Gov.Nikki_Haley(R) Ark.Gov.Asa_Hutchinson(R) Former V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN) U.S.Rep.Dean_Phillips(D-MN) Vivek_Ramaswamy(R-OH) S.C.Sen.Tim_Scott(R)
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Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026