Scott Kleeb on Education Democratic Challenger

Deeply committed to science & technology education

A: As a father, I am deeply committed to improving science and technology programs in our schools. To remain a global leader, the United States must continue to make great strides in science and technology. To do that, we must ensure that our schools prepare our kids to enter into the increasingly competitive and technological global economy. This begins with improving our achievement in math and science and our education system generally. Moreover, we must actively recruit high quality math and science teachers dedicated to giving our girls and boys the education they deserve. Already we are seeing corporations encouraging their engineers to teach in our schools and hosting math and science teacher camps. We must do more to continue this trend.

Accountability should enhance and support, not to punish

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation was a milestone in education policy. However, Scott believes it's time to deliver the promise of this important measure.
• End unfunded mandates. Washington must stop passing the buck onto the states.
• Allow state flexibility. While national standards are an important indicator of how well our kids are being educated, states must be permitted some flexibility in how they implement and execute programs.
• Improve accountability standards. Scott believes that teachers and school administrators should be held accountable for their students' growth and success. However, accountability standards must be designed to enhance and support, not to punish. Scott is committed to fighting for our teachers and our students by implementing accountability standards that work.
• Restructure AYP (the Annual Yearly Progress approach). Scott is a proponent of comprehensive education practices designed to help a student grow over time.

More college via Pell Grants, & G.I. Bill

Scott Kleeb understands that getting a college degree is not a luxury; it is crucial to getting ahead. Yet, the cost of higher education remains out of reach for too many Nebraskans. Scott is committed to making a college degree and other post-educational programs more accessible and more affordable to all Nebraskans by:
• Proposing a National Defense Education Act. Fifty years ago, the launch of Sputnik sent shockwaves around the world. America responded; now we must invest in a National Defense Education Act for the 21st Century.
• Providing a tax credit for families paying for college.
• Expand funding for Pell Grants.
• Increase loan forgiveness opportunities. Provide scholarship incentives for young people to enter service-oriented fields that assist underserved communities, including joining the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps.
• Incentives for mid-career education. Provide grants and scholarships to help middle-class professionals get ahead.

Recruit high quality math and science teachers

A: We must actively recruit high quality math and science teachers dedicated to giving our girls and boys the education they deserve.[We should also] support children early in development because we know that a well-fed child is both a healthier child & one more equipped to learn. And [we should] instill in our children a love of learning--something that can't be achieved when we limit teachers to just teaching to the test.

Support early childhood education and quality childcare

Reform No Child Left Behind

Bring more qualified teachers into the classroom

• Create initiatives to bring more qualified teachers into the classroom while supporting full spectrum curriculum development which means a focus on the arts as well as the basic skills a child needs to be successful.
• Use early middle school intervention strategies such as teach teams and more intensive instruction. Additionally, expand high quality after school opportunities, summer programs, and college outreach programs such as Upward Bound and AmeriCorps.

Don't punish struggling schools