Democratic Senate Challenger; member of State House
History making efforts that improved education in Oregon
Under Jeff’s leadership as Speaker of the House, the 2007 legislature
Passed a landmark bi-partisan education budget which increased K-12 and higher education funding by 18% over 2005
Increased funding for Oregon’s pre-kindergarten/Head Start
Program that will allow 75% of eligible children to enroll, up from 50% at previous funding levels
More than doubled the funds available for student financial aid and made it available to part-time students for the first time in Oregon’s history;
Passed the largest investment in community college and university facilities and repairs in Oregon’s history;
Added $28 million for university research and development in wave energy, nanoscience, and biotechnology.
While these efforts have
certainly improved education in Oregon, without sufficient support at the federal level, these improvements cannot be sustained. As Senator, Jeff will work to ensure that all children in the US receive the education they need to have a successful future.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
Completely overhaul No Child Left Behind
A school’s improvement should be measured not only by test scores, but also by students’ improvement over time, attendance, graduation rates and other standards that states themselves determine. Schools should not have to choose between music and math:
all children need a well-rounded curriculum, instead of being taught for a test. Instead of penalizing schools, teachers and students who need the most help, the US should provide needed resources to schools with hard to teach students and reward
schools, teachers and students who show measurable improvement. Congress must restore efforts to reduce class sizes. Jeff will lead this fight to make sure that students actually have the time to get the help they need from teachers.
States need the flexibility to adopt practices appropriate to each school district. Teachers need the salary, support and resources they deserve, especially in their first three years in the classroom and in hard-to-staff schools.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
Fully fund public schools
Bush proposed making drastic cuts to the Department of Education, which would have made Oregon one of 44 states to receive less funding next year. Jeff will fight to ensure that these sorts of cuts never happen and that schools have the funding
they need to educate our children. The expiration of the federal timber payments plan has hit Oregon’s schools hard. Jeff will work to fully restore the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act to improve education.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
Head Start Programs must be fully funded
Every child eligible for Head Start should have the opportunity to enroll.
Participation in Head Start remains one of the most effective ways to improve the educational performance of children in the US.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
Increase the size and number of Pell Grants available
Provide opportunities for high school students: a college education must be affordable. The size and number of Pell Grants available to students must be increased. Public college tuition has increased
35 percent over the past four years, but student aid has not kept pace. Workers who possess a college or vocational degree earn approximately 75 percent more than those without a higher education degree.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
Create a broad-based college tuition tax break
A broad-based college tuition tax break should be created for all Americans by providing a deduction of up to $10,000 for college tuition, or a credit of up to $3,000.
Government should be doing more--not less--to relieve the growing financial burden of college and relieve the anxiety of parents who worry that they won’t be able to afford their children’s college education.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
Let parents get involved in their child’s education
Create opportunities for parents to be as involved in their child’s education as they are able. Studies show that parental involvement plays a key role in a child’s school achievement.
When parents are forced to work two and three jobs just to make ends meet, that leaves little time to focus on their kids’ education. Building a secure middle class is a key to a good education for our children.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
Fully fund Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Provide all Americans with a good education: the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) must be fully funded. Congress promised to provide 40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure for each child in special education.
However, the federal government has never allocated more than 17 percent to states to carry out the law. In addition, Bush’s proposed FY2008 budget would have cut $800 million in special education programs. Jeff Merkley will work for full funding.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
