Bob Casey on Education Democratic Sr Senator (PA)

Refinance student loans at lower rates

Lou Barletta (R): Unknown.

Bob Casey (D): Yes.

Fight for more funding for public education

Intelligent Design in religion class, not science class

Supports teaching “abstinence plus” in schools

A: I think that’s a good approach. Kids need to know about birth control, but not from Washington. I believe that local school districts must have the flexibility to implement sex education programs that are appropriate for their communities.

Posting Ten Commandments in government buildings ok

Opposes school vouchers

A: Oppose

Q: What is your position on increasing funding for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit, which encourages businesses to donate to Pre-K- 12 scholarship programs?

A: Due to budgetary constraints, I would want to evaluate the effectiveness of this program before endorsing an increase in funding.

Q: What is your position on the establishment of a state-funded preschool (ages 3-4) program available to all students, regardless of family income, administered exclusively by public school districts?

A: Oppose. I support using state funds to increase the availability of safe, quality and affordable early care and education for families that choose to use these programs.

Professional development grants for elementary principals.

A bill to provide professional development for elementary school principals in early childhood education and development. Authorize the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to partnerships to:
1. provide high quality professional development to elementary school principals in early childhood education and development;
2. gain a knowledge base and capacity to provide high quality early childhood education; and
3. collaborate with early childhood education providers, services providers, and families in creating a continuum of high quality development and learning for children in the community and school settings.

Directs the Secretary to establish a panel of leading experts in elementary and early childhood education to:
1. identify the best practices in professional development for elementary school principals in early childhood education;
2. review the effective coordination of such training among this Act`s grantees; and
3. disseminate the latest research and findings regarding such training.

Don't count combat pay against free school lunch.

A bill to amend the National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to require the exclusion of combat pay from income for purposes of determining eligibility for child nutrition programs and the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children.