Joni Ernst on Education

Co-sponsored act for tax credits for private school tuition

Joni Ernst: Yes. Co-sponsored act providing tax credits for contributions to scholarship funds that could be used for private school tuition.

Theresa Greenfield: Likely no. Invest in our kids, teachers and public schools, so "we all do better." "Put teachers and students first, not profits."

Voted against limiting debt relief for defrauded students

Joni Ernst: Unclear. Voted to block Betsy DeVos rule limiting debt relief for defrauded students.

Theresa Greenfield: Yes. Supports loan refinancing, some debt forgiveness, debt-free community college.

Proposed "know before you owe"; employers assuming debt

Greenfield: Student debt is a really serious crisis and it has kept so many of our young leaders from starting families and businesses. We need to get back into investing into education. Then we need to make sure that students can refinance their student debt and we need to find ways for students to participate in programs where they can work off their student debt.

Ernst: I do think that there should be opportunity to refinance student loans. I have authored a number of different provisions like know before you owe, making sure that students know exactly what the cost of their education is going to be and then what their actual job will pay. I also have a bill that would allow employers to pay back already assumed student debt. In order for those students to move on they have to be able to get rid of that student debt.

Eliminate Department of Education but keep Pell Grants

No federal involvement in Common Core standards

Whitaker also opposes the Common Core. "The Federal government does not belong in education," Whitaker said. He described the Common Core as a "one-size-fits-all, cram-it-down-your-throat" reform. He said that lawmakers should be focused on school choice instead.

Anti-transgender bathrooms, according to CC survey.

The Christian Coalition inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Prohibiting Public Schools from Allowing Boys to Use Girls' Bathrooms; and Vice Versa?' Self-description by Christian Coalition of America: "These guides help give voters a clear understanding of where candidates stand on important pro-family issues" for all Senate and Presidential candidates.