Public education is one of the most
important institutions in our country, an institution in which the public has
always played a role. It is the public who elects school board members, pays
taxes to support public schools, votes for school bond referendum, and visits
and volunteers in the schools. Public schools, in turn, transmit important
values and information that help young people participate in our democracy and
become responsible citizens. Clearly, education is important to all members of society
given its impact on the community, the economy, jobs, safety, and health.
important institutions in our country, an institution in which the public has
always played a role. It is the public who elects school board members, pays
taxes to support public schools, votes for school bond referendum, and visits
and volunteers in the schools. Public schools, in turn, transmit important
values and information that help young people participate in our democracy and
become responsible citizens. Clearly, education is important to all members of society
given its impact on the community, the economy, jobs, safety, and health.
- The skill level of the population
increases national productivity and leads to higher salaries.
increases national productivity and leads to higher salaries.
- The better educated a person, the
more likely that person is to report being in excellent or very good health.
more likely that person is to report being in excellent or very good health.
- The more education a person has,
the more likely that person is to be registered to vote and to actually vote.
the more likely that person is to be registered to vote and to actually vote.
- There is a strong relationship
between the drop-out rate and crime among many young males
between the drop-out rate and crime among many young males
Many candidates are vocal about
their support for public education, but voters can do a lot to ensure that
elected officials are aware of the wide range of important education issues,
and that they honor their commitment to education. This voter guide is designed
to help voters focus on important education issues and ask political candidates
and office holders informed questions.
their support for public education, but voters can do a lot to ensure that
elected officials are aware of the wide range of important education issues,
and that they honor their commitment to education. This voter guide is designed
to help voters focus on important education issues and ask political candidates
and office holders informed questions.
Strong Public Education Candidates:
- Know about school reform and ways
to improve public schools
to improve public schools
- Know education
policy; the federal, state, and local laws that govern public
education; and the responsibilities of the desired office
policy; the federal, state, and local laws that govern public
education; and the responsibilities of the desired office
- Make education a high priority in
their political platform
their political platform
- Solicit opinions and viewpoints
from citizens through polling, town meetings, community conversations, and
face-to-face discussions
from citizens through polling, town meetings, community conversations, and
face-to-face discussions
- Have prior experience with public
education policy
education policy
- Have a clear message about public
education priorities
education priorities
- Have a realistic funding plan to
support public education improvements and ensure adequate resources for all
schools
support public education improvements and ensure adequate resources for all
schools
- Communicate who will be held
accountable for student and school performance
accountable for student and school performance
Questions for Candidates
A quality public education requires
the assurance of basic physical needs: shelter, nutrition, physical safety,
sleep, and exercise. Quality education begins at an early age with the
development of cognitive and social skills. A candidate who supports education
will have a clear position on a wide range of health and other children's
issues.
the assurance of basic physical needs: shelter, nutrition, physical safety,
sleep, and exercise. Quality education begins at an early age with the
development of cognitive and social skills. A candidate who supports education
will have a clear position on a wide range of health and other children's
issues.
- What proposals, if any, do you
offer for public programs to support underserved children?
offer for public programs to support underserved children?
- What is your position on the value
and importance of education?
and importance of education?
- What are your top priorities for
improving public education?
improving public education?
How well students achieve is only
partly determined by students themselves. Schools play an important role, and
elected officials at every level have some say in how schools are run and who
is held responsible for student achievement. Strong
education candidates understand the role their offices play in public
education, and should be able to articulate what they will do to improve school
quality.
partly determined by students themselves. Schools play an important role, and
elected officials at every level have some say in how schools are run and who
is held responsible for student achievement. Strong
education candidates understand the role their offices play in public
education, and should be able to articulate what they will do to improve school
quality.
- Who do you think should be
responsible for ensuring that public schools operate effectively and children
achieve?
responsible for ensuring that public schools operate effectively and children
achieve?
- If elected, what responsibility
and authority would you have for public education?
and authority would you have for public education?
- What do you believe are the best
ways to evaluate school and student
performance?
ways to evaluate school and student
performance?
- How would you evaluate teacher
quality?
quality?
Most candidates for office support
quality and improvement in public education, but their proposals for how to pay
for public education vary widely. A strong education candidate should have
developed a viable plan for school funding.
quality and improvement in public education, but their proposals for how to pay
for public education vary widely. A strong education candidate should have
developed a viable plan for school funding.
- What are your views on how much is
spent on public education and whether this amount is adequate?
spent on public education and whether this amount is adequate?
- What changes, if any, would you
make to the existing education funding structure?
make to the existing education funding structure?
- What is your position on current
pending court cases that would affect funding for education in the state?
pending court cases that would affect funding for education in the state?
- What programs and areas do you
consider most vital and deserving of the highest protection from budget cuts?
consider most vital and deserving of the highest protection from budget cuts?
- How would you fund the program and
policy changes you are proposing?
policy changes you are proposing?
- Do you have any tax proposals to
offer for public school funding?
offer for public school funding?
- Do you support generating funds
for public education through taxes on liquor, tobacco, lotteries, casino
gambling, slot machines, or through any other "sin" taxes or
revenues?
for public education through taxes on liquor, tobacco, lotteries, casino
gambling, slot machines, or through any other "sin" taxes or
revenues?
- What is your position on bilingual
education?
education?
- Do you believe the amount spent
for students classified as "special needs" is adequate? What changes
would you make, if any, to support these students?
for students classified as "special needs" is adequate? What changes
would you make, if any, to support these students?
- What is your stance on school
choice?
choice?
- What is your stance on the
adequacy of school facilities?
adequacy of school facilities?
About This Guide
This guide presents a list of
questions that highlight the most pressing concerns and issues in education
today. Public education is a leading issue in American politics. The
information in this guide will inform voters about important education issues,
and help voters determine a candidate's stance on public education. There are
many possible answers to the questions raised in this guide. No single answer
is "correct". The questions help identify the education decisions
candidates will have to make if elected, and encourage voters to make ballot
selections based on which candidates they believe have the strongest public
education agenda. In the upcoming
2020 national election, voters will elect a president, vice president, 435 members of the US House of Representatives, and 35 US senators. In state elections, voters will elect governors, state
house and senate members, and countless mayors, regents, city council members,
boards of supervisors, county officials, and school board trustees.
questions that highlight the most pressing concerns and issues in education
today. Public education is a leading issue in American politics. The
information in this guide will inform voters about important education issues,
and help voters determine a candidate's stance on public education. There are
many possible answers to the questions raised in this guide. No single answer
is "correct". The questions help identify the education decisions
candidates will have to make if elected, and encourage voters to make ballot
selections based on which candidates they believe have the strongest public
education agenda. In the upcoming
2020 national election, voters will elect a president, vice president, 435 members of the US House of Representatives, and 35 US senators. In state elections, voters will elect governors, state
house and senate members, and countless mayors, regents, city council members,
boards of supervisors, county officials, and school board trustees.
Who Should Use This Guide?
Everyone! A free, public education
is one of America's most vital assets. Every member of society has an
investment in a quality public school system. Good schools lead to strong
economies, better jobs, less crime, and many other positive social outcomes.
Education is an important responsibility for elected officials at all levels,
and thus an important area to consider in every election. From the President of
the United States to local school board members, making decisions about
education is a critical part of the job. We hope this guide helps you make
informed decisions about which candidates to support.
is one of America's most vital assets. Every member of society has an
investment in a quality public school system. Good schools lead to strong
economies, better jobs, less crime, and many other positive social outcomes.
Education is an important responsibility for elected officials at all levels,
and thus an important area to consider in every election. From the President of
the United States to local school board members, making decisions about
education is a critical part of the job. We hope this guide helps you make
informed decisions about which candidates to support.
