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Elizabeth Dole on Education
Republican Sr Senator
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Supports CA Prop 187 barring illegal aliens from schools
Dole said that she supports a controversial measure to deny public services-except for emergency medical care-to illegal immigrants. Dole agrees with the most charged aspect of the California Proposition 187: the move to bar children of illegal aliens
from public schools unless they were born in the US. Because illegal immigration is “a situation where the law is being broken, it sends the wrong signal” to provide benefits, Dole said after the meeting. “The proposition is one I would agree with.”
Source: David Von Drehle, The Washington Post
, Oct 15, 1999
For school prayer & 10 Commandments in schools
Declaring she reads the Bible every day, Dole told the Christian Coalition she favored allowing silent school prayer and displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools. “It is wrong that our children are not allowed a silent moment of prayer in
school, that they cannot look up on their classroom wall and see the Ten Commandments, which have undergirded western culture for nearly 2,000 years,” she said.
Source: Alan Elsner, Reuters
, Oct 1, 1999
Merit pay to retain teachers
Dole said her goal as president would be to restore schools to greatness. Dole said she would ease federal regulations, would back merit pay for teachers, and would make it easier for parents to save for education costs. Dole said merit pay was essential
to retaining good teachers to educate the growing student population. “It’s time to let creative, enthusiastic teachers know that they are a national treasure right where they are - in our classrooms,” she said.
Source: Jill Zuckman, Boston Globe, p. A8
, Sep 23, 1999
More ed. savings accounts; tax credit for ed. charity
Dole said she would increase the contribution limits for education savings accounts from $500 to $3,000 a year to help parents pay for a child’s school or college education. She said she would also like to create a $1,000 per-year tax credit for people
who donate to educational foundations helping low-income students in public and private schools through grade 12.
Source: Jill Zuckman, Boston Globe, p. A8
, Sep 23, 1999
Web of rules makes system fail; empower states & districts
Dole said the Clinton administration had entangled schools in a web of federal rules. “Take a look at this unwieldy stack of paper,” Dole said, pointing to a thick bound copy of the Elementary & Secondary Education reauthorization bill. “This would be a
joke is our system were working, but it’s no joke,” Dole said. “As president, I will allow states and local school districts to choose how most federal money is spent, as long as they set, measure, and reach goals for student achievement,” she said.
Source: Jill Zuckman, Boston Globe, p. A8
, Sep 23, 1999
Search students’ lockers & backpacks for drugs & guns
Dole suggested that school officials search student lockers and backpacks for drugs and weapons. She also said schools should consider testing students for drugs - if their parents consent. “For drugs and weapons, I say: There will be no place to hide,”
said Dole.
Source: Jill Zuckman, Boston Globe, p. A8
, Sep 23, 1999
Decisions on teaching evolution should be made locally
On teaching evolution in schools, Dole says the decision should be made at the local level.
Source: CNN coverage by Bruce Morton
, Aug 27, 1999
More power to teachers, parents, and local schools
Dole said the key [to improving education] is to increase local control of schools, give teachers the power to remove troublemakers from their classes and involve parents in their children’s education.
Source: J.M. Hirsch, Associated Press
, Aug 16, 1999
Demand rigorous training and degrees for teachers
We must return teaching to the heart of the educational enterprise. Teaching needs to be supported, not only by rewarding excellence in teaching, but by placing the training of teachers at the center of our higher education system. If teaching is to
become a prestigious profession, teachers must undergo rigorous training and hold prestigious degrees.
Source: Exploratory Cmte Announcement Speech, 3/10/99
, Mar 10, 1999
Restore quality and parental involvement
We must choose education over social engineering.We must teach our children again the basics of math and reading and citizenship. How appalling that one in four high school seniors in the great United States of America is considered functionally
illiterate! We must return discipline and parental involvement to every school. In those areas --especially in low income areas -- where schools have failed completely, parents must be given other choices.
Source: Speech at Iowa State University, 2/15/99
, Feb 15, 1999
Add a 4th “R”: Responsibility
Everyone agrees on the value of education. Can’t we also agree about the need for an education in values? The 4 R’s - reading, ‘riting, ‘rithmetic, and responsibility. By all means, let’s put computers in every classroom. But let’s make sure to put
parents in every classroom as well.
Source: Manchester Chamber of Commerce, NH, Feb. 8, 1999
, Feb 8, 1999
Restore federal taxes to local districts to empower parents
There are many ideas to restore to local school districts funds taken in federal taxes. We should do this, because local districts know best what their schools need. But the ultimate test of our resolve is not how much money Washington gives to school
districts, but how much control Washington gives back to parents and teachers. I believe that educational decisions should be made at the local level, where parents have the greatest voice in those decisions.
Source: Manchester Chamber of Commerce, NH, Feb. 8, 1999
, Feb 8, 1999
Spend on teachers for training & smaller classes
I doubt anyone in this room remembers which federal official had primary responsibility for education when you graduated from grade school. But I bet each and every one of you can remember the teacher who awakened in you a love of history or fascination
with words. We can afford safer, newer classrooms with smaller classes. Places where real knowledge is transferred by better-trained, more accountable teachers.
Source: Manchester Chamber of Commerce, NH, Feb. 8, 1999
, Feb 8, 1999
Supports scholarships for at-risk youth.
As Secretary of Labor in President Bush’s cabinet, numerous initiatives to benefit at-risk youth became Dole’s top priority - one she has pursued at the American Red Cross in establishing The Mary Cathey Hanford Fund which provides scholarships.
Source: www.electelizabeth.org/Life/Biography/biography.html 1/3/99
, Jan 3, 1999
Elizabeth Dole on School Choice
Give parents a smorgasbord of choices
Dole said parents should be able to choose from a “rich smorgasbord of educational choices” in deciding where to send their children to school. “The federal government has become a truly intrusive regulatory presence sapping state authority,local control
& parental responsibility. Every hour spent on complying with regulations is time not spent helping teachers & students.” Dole would let school districts choose how most federal money is spent, as long as students’ performance is measured and attained.
Source: The Enterprise (Greater Brockton, MA) , p. A6
, Sep 23, 1999
Vouchers OK where public schools fail.
The No. 1 priority of any education reform must be to restore our public schools to greatness. But where schools are unsafe and a child is trapped in a failing school, the state should provide [a voucher] to help pay for education elsewhere.
Source: Time Magazine 4/26/99 p. 36
, Apr 26, 1999
Parents should demand success; be given vouchers if not
Parents [involved in classrooms] will do what the government has not: ensure a zero tolerance for incompetence. We should test and track and act on the results, holding teachers & principals & schools accountable for the success of the children in
their care. But if a child is trapped in an unsafe, failing school, we must provide other answers, like a voucher to help parents select another school.
Source: Exploratory Cmte Announcement Speech, 3/10/99
, Mar 10, 1999
Voted YES on additional $10.2B for federal education & HHS projects.
Vote on the passage of the bill, the American Competitiveness Scholarship Act, the omnibus appropriations bill for the Departments of Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Labor. Pres. Bush then vetoed the Bill. Proponents support voting YES because:
Rep. OBEY: This bill, more than any other, determines how willing we are to make the investment necessary to assure the future strength of this country and its working families. The President has chosen to cut the investments in this bill by more than $7.5 billion in real terms. This bill rejects most of those cuts.
Opponents recommend voting NO because:
Rep. LEWIS: This bill reflects a fundamental difference in opinion on the level of funding necessary to support the Federal Government's role in education, health and workforce programs. The bill is $10.2 billion over the President's budget request. While many of these programs are popular on both sides of the aisle, this bill contains what can
rightly be considered lower priority and duplicative programs. For example, this legislation continues three different programs that deal with violence prevention. An omnibus bill is absolutely the wrong and fiscally reckless approach to completing this year's work. It would negate any semblance of fiscal discipline demonstrated by this body in recent years.
Veto message from President Bush:
This bill spends too much. It exceeds [by $10.2 billion] the reasonable and responsible levels for discretionary spending that I proposed to balance the budget by 2012. This bill continues to fund 56 programs that I proposed to terminate because they are duplicative, narrowly focused, or not producing results. This bill does not sufficiently fund programs that are delivering positive outcomes. This bill has too many earmarks--more than 2,200 earmarks totaling nearly $1 billion. I urge the Congress to send me a fiscally responsible bill that sets priorities.
Reference: American Competitiveness Scholarship Act;
Bill H.R. 3043
; vote number 2007-391
on Oct 23, 2007
Voted NO on $52M for "21st century community learning centers".
To increase appropriations for after-school programs through 21st century community learning centers. Voting YES would increase funding by $51.9 million for after school programs run by the 21st century community learning centers and would decrease funding by $51.9 million for salaries and expenses in the Department of Labor.
Reference: Amendment to Agencies Appropriations Act;
Bill S Amdt 2287 to HR 3010
; vote number 2005-279
on Oct 27, 2005
Voted NO on $5B for grants to local educational agencies.
To provide an additional $5 billion for title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Voting YES would provide:- $2.5 billion for targeting grants to local educational agencies
- $2.5 billion for education finance incentive grants
Reference: Elementary and Secondary Education Amendment;
Bill S Amdt 2275 to HR 3010
; vote number 2005-269
on Oct 26, 2005
Voted NO on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education.
Vote to adopt an amendment to the Senate's 2006 Fiscal Year Budget Resolution that would adjust education funding while still reducing the deficit by $5.4 billion. A YES vote would: - Restore education program cuts slated for vocational education, adult education, GEAR UP, and TRIO.
- Increase the maximum Pell Grant scholarship to $4,500 immediately.
- Increases future math and science teacher student loan forgiveness to $23,000.
- Pay for the education funding by closing $10.8 billion in corporate tax loopholes.
Reference: Kennedy amendment relative to education funding;
Bill S AMDT 177 to S Con Res 18
; vote number 2005-68
on Mar 17, 2005
Rated 27% by the NEA, indicating anti-public education votes.
Dole scores 27% by the NEA on public education issues
The National Education Association has a long, proud history as the nation's leading organization committed to advancing the cause of public education. Founded in 1857 "to elevate the character and advance the interests of the profession of teaching and to promote the cause of popular education in the United States," the NEA has remained constant in its commitment to its original mission as evidenced by the current mission statement:
To fulfill the promise of a democratic society, the National Education Association shall promote the cause of quality public education and advance the profession of education; expand the rights and further the interest of educational employees; and advocate human, civil, and economic rights for all.
In pursuing its mission, the NEA has determined that it will focus the energy and resources of its 2.7 million members toward the "promotion of public confidence in public education."
The ratings are based on the votes the organization considered most important; the numbers reflect the percentage of time the representative voted the organization's preferred position.
Source: NEA website 03n-NEA on Dec 31, 2003
Support the goals and ideals of Charter Schools.
Dole co-sponsored supporting the goals and ideals of Charter Schools
A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Charter Schools Week, April 30, 2007, through May 4, 2007. - Whereas charter schools deliver high-quality education and challenge students to reach their potential;
- Whereas charter schools provide thousands of families with diverse and innovative educational options for their children;
- Whereas charter schools are public schools authorized by designated public entities to respond to the needs of communities, families, and students, and to promote the principles of quality, choice, and innovation;
- Whereas, in exchange for the flexibility and autonomy given to charter schools, charter schools are held accountable by their sponsors for improving student achievement and for their finances and other operations;
- Whereas 40 States and the District of Columbia have passed laws authorizing charter schools;
- Whereas more than 4,000 charter schools operating across the
United States serve more than 1,140,000 students;
- Whereas, over the last 13 years, Congress has provided more than $2,026,225,000 in support to the charter school movement;
- Whereas the eighth annual National Charter Schools Week, to be held April 30 through May 4, 2007, is an event sponsored by charter schools and grassroots charter school organizations across the United States to recognize the significant impacts, achievements, and innovations of charter schools:
- Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate acknowledges and commends charter schools and students, parents, teachers, and administrators of charter schools across the United States for their ongoing contributions to education and improving and strengthening the public school system; and supports the goals and ideals of the eighth annual National Charter Schools Week.
Legislative Outcome: Related bills: H.RES.344, H.RES.1168, S.RES.556; agreed to in Senate, by Unanimous Consent.
Source: S.RES.183 07-SR556 on May 1, 2007
Page last updated: Jan 13, 2017