Secretary of Homeland Defense; Former Republican Governor (PA)
More standards, and make them clear
On education, Ridge got $132 million to spend on computers in schools in 1995. In 1996 he got reform of teacher tenure and sabbaticals. He set up an advisory commission to produce rigorous standards that were so comprehensible that “parents can hang
them on the refrigerator door and discuss them with their children. No jargon, no buzz words, no educational fads.”
Source: National Journal, the Almanac of American Politics
, Jan 28, 2000
Teacher-led voluntary prayer is OK
Supports the following principles concerning education:
Support sex education programs which stress abstinence.
Endorse teacher-led voluntary prayer in public schools.
Allow schools the option of
requiring school uniforms.
Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any participating school (public, private, religious).
Source: 1998 PA National Political Awareness Test
, Jul 2, 1998
Supports the following principles concerning education:
[X] a) Increase state funds for professional development of public school teachers and administrators.
Require teachers to continue their professional development and re-certify every
five years.
Support a state achievement test and establish proficiency levels to measure student achievement.
Support the Links-to-Learn initiative, which purchases computers for schools and provides computer training for teachers.
Source: 1998 PA National Political Awareness Test
, Jul 2, 1998
More charters; push for school choice
In 1997 he got the legislature to create more charter schools. By a narrow margin, Ridge’s proposal for school choice failed in the legislature in his first term; he pressed again for choice in May 1999.
Source: National Journal, the Almanac of American Politics
, Jan 28, 2000
Vouchers for private & religious schools
Supports the following principles concerning education:
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.
Source: 1998 PA National Political Awareness Test
, Jul 2, 1998
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