Ballotpedia.org political website: on Education

Aimee Winder Newton: No one-size-fits-all program; let parents choose

Arnold Mooney: Repeal Common Core

• Improving Education and Repealing Common Core
• States' Rights and Limited Government
• Free Market Health Care
• Pro-Life and Pro-Family
• Right to Bear Arms
• Increased Employment and Commerce
• Protecting Personal Property Rights
• Transportation

Betsy DeVos: Federally-funded vouchers for public or private schools

Throughout her time as an education activist, DeVos has been a proponent of school vouchers, which redirect the state per-pupil education funding, giving it directly to individual families instead of school districts. Families can then select the public or private schools of their choice and have all or part of the tuition paid by the government. Of vouchers, DeVos said, "I would hope I could convince you all of the merit of that in maybe some future legislation."

Betsy DeVos: Nothing is free; someone has to pay for "free tuition"

When questioned by Bernie Sanders (D-VT) on making public colleges tuition free, DeVos said, "That's a really interesting idea. But we also have to consider the fact that there's nothing in life that is truly free. Somebody's going to pay for it. I think we can work together and we can work hard on making sure that college or higher education in some form is affordable for all young people that want to pursue it."

Betsy Sweet: Pay teachers better; cut back on standardized tests

• Give kids a chance at affordable higher education. Provide two years of free tuition to young Mainers in exchange for a year of public service. This will teach young people the virtues of giving back, community engagement, and help them address the escalating costs of education.
• Bring Back programs for technical and skills-based education.
• Pay teachers better. We are losing skilled teachers to retirement and few are entering the field because of low pay and unfair retirement benefits.
• Cut back on standardized tests. Our education system was born in the 1920's and has become about numbers and standardized tests. Instead, let's emphasize teaching strategies that enhance today's communities and economy.
• Make pre-k available to every 3 and 4-year old in Maine, where the most difference can be made in education, as well as affordable day care and developmental services. Let's invest our money where we know it will work.

C. Wesley Morgan: Reform education towards career prep

Colin Van Ostern: Universal full-day kindergarten; more PACE; more local aid

Fully funding universal full-day kindergarten will improve our schools while also helping more working parents fully participate in the workforce.

New Hampshire cannot afford to refuse fast-growing school districts a proportional increase in state funding for their students, as has happened in recent years. Additionally, the state should consider how to reinstitute a more sustainable building aid program to support local building construction projects that are in clear need.

Dan Forest: Support school choice and competition in education

On his website, Forest outlined his belief statements:
• I believe in school choice and competition in education
• I believe public education decisions are best made at the local level
• I believe community colleges should play a key role in job training and economic development

David Zuckerman: Stricter standards for independent charter schools

The Ethan Allen Institute, a free-market think tank, criticized that the bill lacked input from the schools.The Vermont Independent Schools Association also opposed the bill, saying, "State control of admissions and of hiring would strongly impair independent schools' ability to fulfill their unique missions."

Bill supporters argued that the independent schools were weakening public education by attracting students and state tuition dollars away from public schools without being required to meet state mandates, such as the requirement to offer expensive special education services. The VT National Education Association and the Vermont School Board Association endorsed SB 91.

Deb Haaland: Standardized tests are ONE indicator; not one-size-fits-all

Eddie Melton: Every child deserves a quality public education

Melton's website highlighted the following campaign themes:
• Every Child Deserves the Right to a Quality Education
• He will continue to work with local leaders on what's best for our children today, so they will be prepared for tomorrow.
• Every Educator Deserves to be Valued and Supported
• Ultimately, Eddie deeply believes in the power of listening and elevating the voices of educators in the creation and execution of policies that impact their work every day.

Eric Mansfield: Focus education on employment and economy

Erica Smith: Stop cuts to education; compensate our teachers

1. Re-engineer policy and economic initiatives to ensure that workers can find jobs, fair wages and forward growth;
2. Create business incentives to attract high tech companies and innovative agricultural technologies to our area.
3. Stop cuts to education so that our teachers can be adequately compensated for their valiant work and students will have the resources they need to be prepared for 21st century competencies, degrees & careers;
4. Promote an agenda for public safety and equal protection and opportunity under the law for all citizens of North Carolina.

Gavin Clarkson: Concealed carry in the classroom for select teachers

A: I'd support concealed carry in the classroom for select teachers and administrators.

Q: What other measures would you support to make schools safer?

A: After 9/11, we didn't go on a nationwide hunt to ban box cutters. Instead we made it harder to get them onto planes. Likewise with schools, we need to harden soft targets. Local school systems should be able to allow concealed carry in the classroom for teachers with proper training.

Gavin Clarkson: Constitution doesn't mention education, so keep feds out

A: Article I, Section 8 explicitly delegates specific powers to Congress. Altogether, the Constitution lists 30 to 35 (depending how they are counted), education is mentioned nowhere in the entire document. My position, and I think the position of our nation's Founding Fathers, is local control of local schools.

Hirsh Singh: Introduce meaningful school choice reform

Despite one of the highest spending levels per-student in the nation, education for many in New Jersey leaves much to be desired. I will work hard to ensure students across New Jersey have access to better education.
• Introduce meaningful school choice reform.
• Reform the school funding formula to close the disparity in funding between school districts.
• Cut wasteful spending to ensure funding is going to students not administrators or bureaucrats.
• Introduce school vouchers programs to give parents more options when choosing how their kids will be educated.
• Increase the number of trade schools.
• Consolidate our 586 School Districts to 21 separate school districts that align with county lines.

Nancy Harris: Education without massive debt

A: In Idaho, we care about our neighbors and those who are in our communities. We want our kids to get a good education without being saddled with massive debt. We want our kids to have the opportunities to do meaningful work that pays well and does not pollute our environment.

Phil Scott: Preserve school choice; improve Act 46 school consolidation

• Grow the state economy by investing in "job training, higher education, technical education and road and telecommunications infrastructure."
• Improve Act 46, which consolidated local school districts in Vermont, by preserving school choice
• Invest in public education
• Eliminate the Vermont Health Exchange and transition to a better model that allows people to buy insurance from the federal exchange or from out of state
• Avoid raising taxes
• Audit all state agencies to eliminate inefficiencies

Reilly Neill: Support public education across the state

Q: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

A: Making sure people on both sides of the aisle are treated fairly is important to me. I believe equality is the foundation of our democratic system. I want to work for a strong, sustainable economy in Montana, support public education across the state, and honor & respect treaties & compacts with tribal peoples.

Rocky De La Fuente: Keep college graduates in Florida after graduation

Jeff Jackson: Strengthen public education and early childhood education

1. Strengthen public education
2. Expand access to health care
3. Bolster broadbased economic growth

A: Early childhood education is an incredible opportunity to help our children reach their full potential and relieve working families of a major financial strain

Valerie Foushee: Quality public education from pre-K to college

A: Investing in quality public education from universal pre-k, affordable early college programs to our flagship community colleges and university system. Promoting a strong economy by providing affordable and accessible healthcare and job creation. Preserving democracy by ensuring fair voting districts and equal access to the ballot box.

Yadira Caraveo: Education is THE way to gain opportunity for middle class