Scott Brown on Education Republican Jr Senator

Transparency on teacher effectiveness and school funding

A. Senator Brown believes our public schools are facing unprecedented challenges, with shortages of funding and a lack of flexibility in federal education policy. Senator Brown believes we must improve transparency on teacher effectiveness and in funding for schools.

Curriculum set by local school boards more than nationally

When you think about education in the US, which of the following is closest to your opinion?
• A. School curriculums should be set entirely at a local school board level
• B. School curriculums should be set more by local school boards than at a national level
• C. School curriculums should be set more by national standards than at a local level
• D. School curriculums should be set entirely at a national standardized level

Opposed federal school breakfast supplement

Override Gov. Romney's veto of a Budget Line Item which eliminated a state supplement to the federally-funded school breakfast program whereby all eligible children shall be provided free, nutritious breakfasts at no cost to them.

Relevant platform section: PART I: FAMILIES & CHILDREN, DIVERSITY & COMMUNITY: No Child Left Behind: "We believe that young people are our most precious resource, and we see inherent worth and promise in every child. Ours is truly the Party that seeks to "Leave No Child Behind."We endorse, therefore, the goals established under The Children's Defense Fund initiative of that name, to ensure every child a healthy start [which includes CDF's support of school breakfast programs]."

Source citation: Veto Override ; vote number 252

Voted NO on 3-year moratorium on charter schools

Would require 3 yr moratorium and empower commission to study feasibility of charter schools.

Relevant section of platform: PART II: EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND OPPORTUNITY: Full Funding: "We call upon the state to change funding of Commonwealth Charter schools to ensure that funds are not drained from established public schools."

Source citation: Bill H.4000 ; vote number 88

Vouchers for public, private, or religious schools

Rep. Brown indicated he supports the following principles on education:
• Support national standards and testing of public school students.
• Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any participating school (public, private, religious).
• Support MCAS, as well as teacher testing, and reward teachers with merit pay.
• Increase state funds for school capital improvements, hiring additional teachers, teacher salaries, full-day kindergarten, and Head Start.