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Martin Heinrich on Education

 

 


Privatization especially hurts rural schools

Q: Help parents send children to private schools with public money?

Martin Heinrich (D): No. "Privatization policies would be especially damaging to rural New Mexico"

Gary Johnson (L): Yes. Competition improves choices. "Why can't we apply that to schools?"

Mick Rich (R): Yes. Supports "vouchers, savings accounts, & scholarship programs."

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race , Oct 9, 2018

Address the significant loss in value of Pell Grants

Q: Refinance student loans at lower rates, by increasing high earner taxes (Elizabeth Warren bill)? Increase aid, like Pell Grants?

Martin Heinrich (D): Yes. Co-sponsored Warren bill in 2017. Co-sponsored bill to "address the significant loss in value of Pell Grants,"

Gary Johnson (L): Supported elimination of all student loans, though would explore reduced interest. Called for Pell Grants cuts.

Mick Rich (R): Consolidate income-contingent loans. Let Pell grants cover job training.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Mexico Senate race , Oct 9, 2018

Make two years of community college free.

Heinrich co-sponsored making two years of community college free

Excerpts from press release from Tammy Baldwin, Senate sponsor: The America`s College Promise Act makes two years of community college free by:

Community, technical, and tribal colleges enroll 40% of all college students today. Community colleges are uniquely positioned to partner with employers to create tailored training programs to meet economic needs within their communities such as nursing and advanced manufacturing.

Opposing argument: (Cato Institute, `College Courtesy of the Taxpayer? No Thanks,` Jan. 9, 2015): One look at either community college outcomes or labor market outlooks reveals free college to be educational folly. Community college completion rates are atrocious: a mere 19.5% of community college students complete their programs. Meanwhile, the for-profit sector has an almost 63% completion rate. And [about 70%] of the new job categories in coming years will require a high school diploma or less.

Opposing argument: (Heritage Foundation, `Free Community College Is a Bad Deal`, July 15, 2016): Free college proposals would subject community colleges to the same types of subsidies-induced inflation endemic at four-year institutions. And low-income students already have access to federal Pell Grants, which can cover the bulk of community college tuition. By contrast, a more open market of alternative schooling models, such as online or vocational education programs, could better tailor degrees at a lower cost.

Source: America's College Promise Act 15-S1716 on Jul 8, 2015

Recruit women & minorities for STEM teaching.

Heinrich co-sponsored S2710 & HR4803