Erskine Bowles on Education

No Child Left Behind is an unfunded mandate

Some excerpts from the Bowles-Burr debate: On No Child Left Behind

BOWLES: "It's got a great name ... but we did not provide the resources it needed to make it work. This has turned out to be an unfunded federal mandate."

BURR: "We need to make sure the next generation all have an opportunity to compete." -- Burr

Source: Winston-Salem Journal, "NC Senatorial Debate Excerpts" Sep 28, 2004

Provide seed money for school construction

School construction stimulates job creation and the economy. Federal support for school construction relieves the growing pressure on local property taxes to pay for new and renovated schools. We must be committed to renewing the federal focus & support for public school construction. I propose that the federal government stimulate the creation of revolving loan funds for school construction in every state. Congress should appropriate $2.5 billion a year for 5 years to seed these revolving loan funds. Source: Bowles Jobs Plan Jul 5, 2004

Scholarships for training and lifelong learning

The New Economy Work Scholarships would make access to training for dislocated workers as universally available as access to college, provide dislocated workers with a scholarship worth up to $4,000, and reduce red tape by allowing workers seeking retraining to apply for aid directly from certified training providers rather than government agencies. Any dislocated worker who wants to go back & get training would receive a NEW Scholarship of up to $4,000 to use at a certified training institution. Source: Bowles Jobs Plan Jul 5, 2004

Allow reservists to defer student loans while on active duty

A quarter of guardsmen and reservists are college students, and many more are recent graduates with student loans. Because interest still accrues during service, many Guardsmen and Reservists return home to heavy debt. On an average loan of $17,000, as much as $1,400 in interest can accrue during a year's service. Bowles would eliminate these interest charges. Guardsmen and reservists called to active duty would be allowed to defer student loan payments and interest would not accumulate. Source: Bowles Homeland Security Plan Jul 5, 2004

Waive penalties and fees for reservists returning to school

College students who have their education interrupted by active duty service often have to forfeit tuition when they leave school and they have to pay penalties and fees when they return. Some colleges forgive fees and allow easy return to classes. In particular, the 1,800 Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges help service members and their families get college degrees. Bowles would relieve students from financial penalties if they withdraw from school because of military mobilization. Source: Bowles Homeland Security Plan Jul 5, 2004

Increase federal support for education

In the coming decade, 90% of new jobs will require a post-secondary level proficiency in reading and math, yet 40% of our kids aren't learning at their grade level.

Full funding for head start and other early childhood initiatives
Federal support renovate schools
Reduce class size
Provide schools with up-to-date technology
Ensure that NC teachers are the best.

Source: Campaign web site erskinebowles2002.com, "Recent" Mar 5, 2002

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