State of North Carolina Archives: on Education


Sandy Smith: Vouchers for school choice, at state level

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Vouchers for school choice"?

A: Strongly Support, but this is a state issue, not federal.

Source: OnTheIssues.org interview of 2020 N.C. Senate candidates Jul 21, 2019

Deborah Ross: Ensure every child has access to quality education

After leaving the State House in 2013, Deborah returned to the full time practice of law, serving as the General Counsel for GoTriangle, a regional authority providing transportation services that connect Wake, Durham and Orange counties, and ensuring access to high quality public transit. In the Senate, Deborah will take on the tough issues. She has spent her entire career fighting for the citizens of North Carolina, and she is ready to take that fight to the U.S. Senate where she will work to create a better business environment that enhances economic security, ensure every child in North Carolina has access to quality education, and protect the equal opportunity that America was built upon.
Source: 2016 Campaign website for N.C. Senate, DeborahRoss.com Nov 11, 2015

David Rouzer: Put control of education in the hands of local parents

I believe that control of education needs to be in the hands of parents, teachers and principals at the local level. The federal government should get out of the way and let the states do what is best for their local school officials so that every child receives a quality education with more focus on classroom needs and a structure that rewards excellence in teaching.

From a personal standpoint, I believe we should return to the fundamentals of learning with a focus on critical thinking rather than the reciting of facts and figures that are forgotten soon after the test. If a student has learned how to learn and can think through issues and problems thoroughly, couple that with personal initiative and they will be able to achieve anything. Parental involvement is absolutely critical to success.

Source: 2014 N.C. House campaign website, DavidRouzer.com Oct 10, 2014

Thom Tillis: FactCheck: Passed school budget of $23.1B, but no cuts

The claim: "Thom Tillis is terrible for education in N.C. He cut $500 million from our budget."

Who made it: Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and National Education Association Advocacy Fund in separate TV ads and Sen. Kay Hagan in the first debate.

The facts: The $500 million amount comes from the continuation budget put out each year by the state Department of Public Instruction. This is the amount DPI says it would cost to keep programs going at the current level when factoring in the enrollment of more students. The 2013 continuation budget called for $23.6 billion over two years. The legislature's budget included $23.1 billion over two years, or $482 million short of what DPI said was needed. Tillis voted for that budget.

The $500 million is an overstatement. Some also argue that underfunding is not a cut.

The DPI says the money budgeted for textbooks, instructional supplies, technology, literacy coaches, and the like, has been reduced by $1 billion since 2008-2009.

Source: News-Observer PacWatch & FactCheck on 2014 N.C. Senate race Oct 4, 2014

Alma Adams: Fight against vouchers & reckless cuts to public education

Education has always been a top priority to Alma Adams. As a retired educator, Alma knows quality education opens up opportunities for anyone to live the American Dream. Alma has relentlessly fought against the reckless cuts to our public education system.

Alma will always stand up and fight for our public schools. She knows a good public education is an American value, and she will work to provide a good public education for everyone.

Adams opposes any school voucher program. She will always fight for the public schools to get the funding they need and deserve so everyone can have access to a quality education.

Alma understands the challenges facing public education as well as anyone. She knows it is getting harder and harder for students to attend colleges and universities. In Congress, Alma will work to provide more scholarships and reduce the rates on student loans. She will also help reduce the debt for current and immediate past students who are struggling to pay off their loans.

Source: 2014 N.C. House campaign website, AlmaAdamsForCongress.com Aug 31, 2014

Pat McCrory: Virtual education choice and charter schools choice

Virtual Education Choice: National studies show virtual learners make larger learning gains and have higher course completion rates. 21st-century technology makes it possible for high school students to choose from a wide range of on-line courses taught by the best public school teachers from across the state. I propose offering greater access and more flexibility to local school systems to our students--public, private, and home schooled--to a wide range of for-credit, on-line courses. Teaching and education can no longer be limited to lectures, chalkboards, and brick buildings.

Charter Schools Choice: While lifting the cap on charter schools was a great first step, we must be careful that a slow moving process for approving new charter schools would act as a de facto cap. Therefore, we must address the thousands of families on waiting lists for charter schools in addition to the dozens of charter schools waiting to open.

Source: N.C. Governor 2012 campaign website, patmccrory.com Nov 6, 2012

Pat McCrory: Partner colleges with business to focus on marketable skills

Too many graduates are finding that their degree does not provide them with a marketable skill set to get a job. We need to work more closely with businesses and educational leaders to guarantee the quality of a North Carolina degree for every course of study. To this end, a McCrory administration will work to create an important feedback loop for students and parents as they choose their educational path, measure and ensure the quality of North Carolina degree and ease the ability to share best practices between campuses and industries. A McCrory administration will:
Source: N.C. Governor 2012 campaign website, patmccrory.com Nov 6, 2012

Robert Pittenger: Endorses voluntary prayer in public schools

Source: 2004 N.C. Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2004

Robert Pittenger: Vouchers for public, private or religious schools

Source: 2004 N.C. Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2004

Sean Haugh: Vouchers for public, private or religious schools

Source: 2004 N.C. Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2004

Sean Haugh: Voluntary prayer in public schools

Source: 2004 N.C. Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2004

  • The above quotations are from State of North Carolina Politicians: Archives.
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2020 Presidential contenders on Education:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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