National Public Radio: on Education

Aaron Bean: Restrict teaching sexual orientation/gender identity

Summary by NPR (3/28/22): The bill, which some opponents have called "Don't Say Gay," was signed by DeSantis. It reads, "Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards."

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 69-47-3 on Feb/24/22; passed Senate 22-17-0 on Mar/8/22; State Sen. Aaron Bean voted YES; Signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on Mar/28/22

Annette Taddeo: Don't restrict teaching sexual orientation/gender identity

Summary by NPR (3/28/22): The bill, which some opponents have called "Don't Say Gay," was signed by DeSantis. It reads, "Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards."

Legislative outcome: Passed House 69-47-3 on Feb/24/22; passed Senate 22-17-0 on Mar/8/22; State Sen. Annette Taddeo voted NO; Signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on Mar/28/22

Barry Moore: Allow tax credits for parents for private schools

NPR analysis: Gov. Robert Bentley has signed a bill that gives tax credits to parents who want to transfer their children from a failing public school to another public or private school. Democrats and teachers' groups say the bill underwent massive changes, including allowing schools to choose which students they will accept. "This is very important to very successful school systems," [one pro-school-choice advocate] says, "especially systems around Birmingham, that don't necessarily want to see a flood of students pouring over their borders and into their school system."

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 51-26-26 on 2/28/2013; State Rep. Barry Moore voted YES; Passed Senate 22-11-1 on 3/1/2013; Signed by Governor Robert Bentley on Mar/14/2013

Chris Dodd: Education is the heart of who we are

A: I would say the single largest issue in many ways for us to grapple with is education, because it’s the heart of who we are, both in terms of our governance and economic strength and the future. And convincing everyone in the country of the importance and the priority of that issue is something that I think is going to be critical for the success of our country in the 21st century.

Eric Schmitt: No evidence of increased threats towards school officials

Hunter Hill: Advocate for education accounts including private schools

Hill has become a vocal advocate for education accounts that allow state funding for students attending private schools. Teachers and other education groups oppose such vouchers.

John Rogers: No tax credits for parents for private schools

NPR analysis: Gov. Robert Bentley has signed a bill that gives tax credits to parents who want to transfer their children from a failing public school to another public or private school. Democrats and teachers' groups say the bill underwent massive changes, including allowing schools to choose which students they will accept. "This is very important to very successful school systems," [one pro-school-choice advocate] says, "especially systems around Birmingham, that don't necessarily want to see a flood of students pouring over their borders and into their school system."

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 51-26-26 on 2/28/2013; State Rep. John Rogers voted NO; Passed Senate 22-11-1 on 3/1/2013; Signed by Governor Robert Bentley on Mar/14/2013

Kirsten Gillibrand: College tuition in exchange for public service

Maura Healey: Pandemic requires additional support for public schools

Robert Bentley: Allow tax credits for parents for private schools

NPR analysis: Gov. Robert Bentley has signed a bill that gives tax credits to parents who want to transfer their children from a failing public school to another public or private school. Democrats and teachers' groups say the bill underwent massive changes, including allowing schools to choose which students they will accept. "This is very important to very successful school systems," [one pro-school-choice advocate] says, "especially systems around Birmingham, that don't necessarily want to see a flood of students pouring over their borders and into their school system."

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 51-26-26 on 2/28/2013; Passed Senate 22-11-1 on 3/1/2013; Signed by Governor Robert Bentley on Mar/14/2013

Ron DeSantis: Restrict teaching sexual orientation/gender identity

Summary by NPR (3/28/22): The bill, which some opponents have called "Don't Say Gay," was signed by DeSantis. It reads, "Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards."

Legislative outcome: Passed House 69-47-3 on Feb/24/22; passed Senate 22-17-0 on Mar/8/22; Signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on Mar/28/22

Sonia Chang-Diaz: Young people shouldn't have to carry decades of student debt

Vivian Davis Figures: No tax credits for parents for private schools

NPR analysis: Gov. Robert Bentley has signed a bill that gives tax credits to parents who want to transfer their children from a failing public school to another public or private school. Democrats and teachers' groups say the bill underwent massive changes, including allowing schools to choose which students they will accept. "This is very important to very successful school systems," [one pro-school-choice advocate] says, "especially systems around Birmingham, that don't necessarily want to see a flood of students pouring over their borders and into their school system."

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 51-26-26 on 2/28/2013; Passed Senate 22-11-1 on 3/1/2013; State Sen. Vivian Davis Figures voted NO; Signed by Governor Robert Bentley on Mar/14/2013