Al Franken on Education

Forgive loans for pledge to teach in under-served areas

Here's an idea I heard from a student in Mankato: Let's create an ROTC-style program for teachers. If a student pledges to teach a needed subject in a designated needy area for a certain amount of time (say, math in a poor rural district suffering from a shortage of math teachers), the federal government could forgive some or all of that student's loans. Source: Campaign website, www.alfranken.com, "Issues" Mar 9, 2008

Improve low-performing schools instead of punishing them

Stop including English language learners in measurements of progress before they're proficient in English. And don't punish a school simply because one "cell"--such as special education students--fails to meet a benchmark.

Instead of punishing low-performing schools, use research-based interventions to help them improve. Give them the resources to hire, develop, and retain the best teachers by offering increased pay, safe working conditions, and sufficient support staff and facilitie Source: Campaign website, www.alfranken.com, "Issues" Mar 9, 2008

Fully fund our public schools

We have to fully fund our public schools. We owe it to our states, and more importantly, we owe it to our kids to provide them with the same opportunities I had growing up.

Every public school in America should have small class sizes, well- maintained facilities, plenty of school supplies, & more support staff.
Teachers should be paid as the professionals they are.
Parents shouldn't have to pay "activity fees" for their kids to play sports or participate in arts or music programs.

Source: Campaign website, www.alfranken.com, "Issues" Mar 9, 2008

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Page last updated: 3/31/2008