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 that elects school board members, pays taxes to support public schools, votes on the school bond referendum, and visits and volunteers at 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 wages.
– The more educated a person is, the 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 actually vote.
– There is a strong relationship between the dropout rate and delinquency among many young men
Many candidates openly express their support for public education, but voters can do much to ensure that elected officials are aware of the wide range of important educational issues and that they honor their commitment to education. This voter guide is designed to help voters focus on important educational issues and ask informed questions of political candidates and officeholders.
Strong Public Education Candidates:
– Learn about school reform and ways to improve public schools.
– Know the education policy; federal, state, and local laws governing public education; and the responsibilities of the desired position
– Make education a high priority in your political platform.
– Solicit citizens’ opinions and views through surveys, town hall meetings, community conversations, and face-to-face discussions.
– Have previous experience with public education policy.
– Have a clear message about the priorities of public education
– Have a realistic funding plan to support improvements in public education and ensure adequate resources for all schools
– Communicate who will be held accountable for student and school performance
Questions for candidates
A quality public education requires the guarantee of basic physical needs: housing, food, physical security, 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 neglected children?
– What is your position on the value and importance of education?
– What are your top priorities for improving public education?
Student performance is only partially determined by the students themselves. Schools play an important role, and elected officials at all levels have a say in how schools are run and who is accountable for student achievement. Strong education candidates understand the role their offices play in public education and must be able to articulate what they will do to improve school quality.
– Who do you think should be responsible for ensuring that public schools function effectively and that children achieve?
– If elected, what responsibility and authority would you have for public education?
– What do you think are the best ways to assess school and student performance?
– How would you evaluate the quality of teachers?
Most candidates for office support the quality and improvement of public education, but their proposals on how to pay for public education vary widely. A strong education candidate should have developed a viable plan for financing the school.
– What is your opinion about how much is spent on public education and if this amount is adequate?
– What changes, if any, would you make to the existing education funding structure?
– What is your position on the current pending court cases that would affect education funding in the state?
– Which programs and areas do you consider most vital and deserving of the greatest protection from budget cuts?
– How would you finance the program and policy changes you propose?
– Do you have any tax proposals to offer for the financing of public schools?
– Do you support the generation of funds for public education through taxes on liquor, tobacco, lotteries, casino games, slot machines or through any other “sin” tax or income?
– What is your position on bilingual education?
– Do you think the amount spent for students classified as “special needs” is adequate? What changes, if any, would you make to support these students?
– What is your position on school choice?
– What is your position on the 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 major issue in American politics. The information in this guide will inform voters about important education issues and help voters determine a candidate’s position on public education. There are many possible answers to the questions posed in this guide. No answer is “correct”. The questions help identify the educational 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, members the state house and senate, and countless mayors, regents, city council members, boards of supervisors, county officials, and school board members.
Who should use this guide?
All the world! 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 therefore an important area to consider in every election. From the President of the United States to members of the local school board, making decisions about education is a critical part of the job. We hope this guide will help you make informed decisions about which candidates to support.