|
Robert Bentley on Education
|
Improving schools with a federal/state/private partnership
Governor Bentley announced results for A+ College Ready's Advanced Placement Training and Incentive program. Program schools achieved a 108% average increase in passing Advanced Placement scores. A+ College Ready is a proven investment that is
preparing our students for college and the jobs of tomorrow. The funding is a public-private partnership that includes the legislature, the National Math and Science Initiative, the U.S. Department of Education and private donors.
Source: 2011 Alabama gubernatorial press release #5513
, Aug 24, 2011
Though benefits will be cut, no teaching jobs will be lost
Beginning with 2012, we will ask our teachers to contribute more to their individual retirement and to health care insurance programs. We are only asking our teachers to do what virtually everyone else has been forced to do in these tough economic times.
And though there will be sacrifices--I will not sacrifice one single teacher's job. Classroom sizes will not increase. There will be no cuts to the length of the school year or to contract days for teachers or support personnel.
Source: 2011 State of the State speech to Alabama legislature
, Mar 1, 2011
Give more power to school boards to make decisions
We will give flexibility to local school boards to prioritize and make decisions that affect the schools in their districts.
We will remove restrictive language from legislation that dictates decisions made by these schools board and give them additional funding and flexibility so they can put the money to highest and best use.
Source: 2011 Alabama gubernatorial press release #4728
, Mar 1, 2011
Only 10 charter schools; let local boards reject them
On Feb. 10, 2010 I voted to indefinitely postpone considering charter school legislation because it was inadequate for Alabama and needed improvement. While I prepared two amendments to improve the bill so I could vote in favor of it, the committee did
not consider either one.My first amendment limited the initial number of initial charter schools to ten, five for technical schools and five for local community schools. This initial limit would allow the state to test and evaluate the effectiveness o
charter schools before implementing it statewide.
My second amendment gave local school boards sole authority on whether to establish charter schools in their communities, instead of the State Board of Education. I support maximizing local authority an
providing increased flexibility to local school boards, and believe local communities can better assess their own needs than the State Board of Education.
I am not willing to fund an untested program in order to get "Race to the Top" money.
Source: Campaign website, robertbentley2010.com, "The Issues"
, Nov 2, 2010
Supports moment-of-silence and teacher spanking law
Bentley indicates he supports the following principles concerning education:- Support sex education programs which stress abstinence.
- Endorse a mandatory "moment of silence" after the pledge of allegiance in public schools.
-
Support state-funded merit scholarships for Alabama students to attend college in Alabama.
- Q: Do you support the current law that allows teachers to spank a child as long as the teacher follows local school board policies?
A: Yes.
Source: Alabama 1998 National Political Awareness Test
, Nov 1, 1998
Page last updated: Apr 25, 2013
