Education

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Raising the Bar on Education

 

Improving our schools is critical to the future of our country and our economy. Closing the achievement gap in our schools is the civil rights issue of our time. While there is a proper role for the federal government to play in Education, it is not in telling parents, teachers, kids and local authorities what to teach or how to run their schools.

 

Excellence in Education: Improving our schools is critical to the future of our country and our economy. Governor Romney also believes that closing the achievement gap in our schools is the civil rights issue of our time.

 

Governor Romney Believes Our Education System Works Best When We Have More Local Control Of Our schools. While there is a proper role for the federal government to play in Education, it is not in telling parents, teachers, kids and local authorities what to teach or how to run their schools.

 

Governor Romney's Conservative Strategy To Raise The Bar In Education:

 

Governor Romney Will Promote School Choice. He believes that when parents and kids are free to choose their school, everyone benefits. That's because competition and choice in Educational opportunities – whether it comes from private schools, charter schools, or home schooling – makes traditional public schools better and improves the quality of Education for all of America's kids. Governor Romney believes that it is especially important that students in failing schools be able to exercise school choice so that they can get access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.

 

Governor Romney Has Proposed A Federal Home Schooling Tax Credit. As of 2003, there were nearly 1.1 million home schooled students in the United States. Governor Romney believes that parents who want to home school their kids should be able to do so. To help them, he will provide a tax credit to help defray the Educational expenses of parents who home school their kids.

 

Governor Romney Will Improve Upon And Enhance No Child Left Behind (NCLB). He believes that No Child Left Behind has played an important role in stressing the role of accountability and high standards in improving our schools. Governor Romney will improve NCLB by giving states that meet or exceed testing requirements additional flexibility in measuring student performance. He will also improve the law by focusing more attention on individual student progress, rather than the overall progress of schools.

 

Governor Romney Will Honor Teaching As The Profession It Truly Is. He believes that good teachers should be rewarded for their hard work and dedication to the important cause of educating our children. He will support performance-based pay and other initiatives that encourage our best teachers to teach in our highest-need schools.

 

Governor Romney Will Ensure Our Kids Get The Education They Need To Excel In The Jobs Of The New economy. He will focus our efforts in fields like math and science, while promoting innovative approaches such as charter schools and public-private partnerships. Governor Romney will ensure that the workers of the future have the intellectual capital and skills they need to compete in the new global marketplace.

 

THE ROMNEY RECORD: Improving Education In Massachusetts:

 

Governor Romney Promoted School Choice And Charter schools. He wanted school choice to be available to all parents, particularly those with children in low-performing districts. Governor Romney fought for charter schools and resisted attempts to derail their expansion. Despite a Legislature that was largely hostile to charter schools and school choice, Governor Romney increased the number of charter schools and the number of students attending them.

 

Governor Romney Expanded Access To Higher Education. In 2004, Governor Romney established the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Program to reward the highest performing Massachusetts high school graduates with a four-year, tuition-free scholarship to state universities or colleges. More than 14,000 Adams Scholarships were offered to members of the Class of 2006, and more than 16,000 students earned them in the Class of 2007.

 

Governor Romney Improved Educational Outcomes. Under his leadership, Massachusetts was the first state to ever have the highest scaled scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Reading and Math exams in Grades 4 and 8 in the same year.

 

Governor Romney Kept Massachusetts Students Globally Competitive. He supported legislation that would bolster the amount of attention paid to math and science in Massachusetts high schools by adding 1,000 new math and science teachers, requiring math and science Advanced Placement classes, and providing laptop computers to all middle and high school students.

 

Governor Romney Promoted Parental Involvement In Education. Because parents are crucial to a child's success in school, Governor Romney supported measures to empower parents to play a more active role in their kids' Educations.

 

  1. Closing the achievement gap in our schools is the civil rights issue of our time.
  2. There is a proper role for the federal government to play in Education.
  3. The federal government should not determine what schools teach or how they are ran.
  4. When parents and kids are free to choose their school everyone benefits.
  5. We should have a federal home schooling tax credit.
  6. Good teachers should be rewarded for their hard work.
  7. Competition in Educational opportunities makes traditional public schools better.
  8. Students in failing schools should be able to exercise school choice.
  9. No Child Left Behind has helped stress the role of accountability in improving our schools.
  10. No Child Left Behind has helped stress the role of high standards in improving our schools.
  11. States that meet No Child Left Behind testing requirements should have additional flexibility in measuring student performance.
  12. Charter schools are good.
  13. Education is good.
  14. Obama is wrong on the vouchers.
  15. We need to strengthen education in America.
  16. We should emphasize math and science.
  17. We should promote charter schools.
  18. We should promote public-private partnerships in education.
  19. We should improve worker retraining.

 

 

Today's schools are falling further and further behind world standards. It is time to raise the bar on education by making teaching a true profession, measuring progress, providing a focus on math and science, and involving parents from the beginning of a child's school career.

 

  • "We cannot continue to have an excellence gap with the rest of the world and intend to remain the economic superpower and military superpower of the planet. That's just not going to happen," Romney said. "We're in a position where unless we take action, we'll end up being the France of the 21st century: a lot of talk, but not a lot of strength behind it in terms of economic capability."
    • Governor Romney, AP, November 16, 2005

 

  • "It's going to take teachers, superintendents and parents talking to their legislators saying yes, we want more money of course ... but we also want changes in the way our schools are managed. We want our principals to have the ability to manage their schools."
    • Governor Romney, AP, January 27, 2005

 

  • "At some point, I think America -- and, importantly, the minority communities -- are going to say, 'it's time to split with our friends, the unions and the Democratic Party, and put our kids first here.' Unequal educational opportunity is the civil rights issue of our time."
    • Governor Romney, Tulsa World, March 7, 2006

 

  • "If we are going to compete in the global economy, we have to set our education goals higher."
    • Governor Romney, AP, May 16, 2005

 

Related Links

 

 

 

Mitt Romney's Education Policy

Press Releases, Quotes, Speeches, and Videos from Mitt Romney about Education organized by year

 

Education

  1. Brian Lamb
    1. In you history, it includes Stanford for how long?
    2. You finished first in your class at Brigham Young University in Utah?
    3. Why did you go to Brigham Young?
    4. How did you -- how were able to get an MBA and a law degree at the same time?
    5. And clearly it would be why you did well and, as you know, you finished well enough to give the valedictory address -- the question I want to ask you though is why do you think you did well? Other than having a lot of brainpower, did you have an approach to education?

 

 

Governor Mitt Romney and Education

 

  • "The least of learning is done in the classrooms."
    • Thomas Merton

 

  • "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."
    • Mark Twain

 

  • "My education was dismal. I went to a series of schools for mentally disturbed teachers."
    • Woody Allen

Major Speeches

 

 

 

Educational Advancement

 

One of Governor Romney's top priorities is reforming the education system so that young people can compete for good paying jobs in the global economy of the future. In 2004, Governor Romney established the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Program to reward the top 25 percent of Massachusetts high school students with a four-year, tuition-free scholarship to any Massachusetts public university or college. He also championed a package of education reforms, including merit pay, an emphasis on math and science instruction, important new intervention programs for failing schools and English immersion for foreign-speaking students.

 

Major Press Releases

 

 

2006 Governor Mitt Romney Education Press Releases

 

 

2005 Governor Mitt Romney Education Press Releases

 

 

2004 Governor Mitt Romney Education Pree Releases

 

  • 01-15-2004, Romney focuses on education in 2004 state of the state
  • 01-16-2004, Romney targets lowest performing districts
  • 01-20-2004, Romney opens door to college for top scoring students
  • 02-20-2004, Romney applauds students for early MCAS preparation
  • 02-25-2004, Romney endorses findings of Grogan task force on education
  • 05-05-2004, Romney vows charter school moratorium veto
  • 06-15-2004, Board of higher ED overwhelmingly okays Adams scholarship
  • 07-28-2004, Romney, as part of ED agenda, signs school building reforms
  • 10-05-2004, Healey recognizes 2004 commonwealth compass schools
  • 10-19-2004, Board of higher ED gives green light to Adams scholarship
  • 12-10-2004, 13,000 Massachusetts students win free college tuition

 

2003 Governor Mitt Romney Education Pree Releases

 

 

2006 Governor Mitt Romney Education Quotes

 

  • "At some point, I think America -- and, importantly, the minority communities -- are going to say, 'it's time to split with our friends, the unions and the Democratic Party, and put our kids first here.' Unequal educational opportunity is the civil rights issue of our time."

 

  • “The world is growing more competitive every day, and it’s no secret that skills, education and knowledge will be crucial to success in the workforce of the 21st century,” said Romney. “Unless our kids are fully prepared to meet the challenges that lie ahead, Massachusetts will fall behind in the competition for the best jobs.”

 

  • “The men and women of the Massachusetts National Guard perform admirable service for our Commonwealth and for our nation,” said Romney. “By making a public college education entirely free for Guard members, we recognize their tremendous dedication and sacrifice.”

 

2005 Governor Mitt Romney Education Quotes

 

  • "We cannot continue to have an excellence gap with the rest of the world and intend to remain the economic superpower and military superpower of the planet. That's just not going to happen. We're in a position where unless we take action, we'll end up being the France of the 21st century: a lot of talk, but not a lot of strength behind it in terms of economic capability."

 

 

  • "It's going to take teachers, superintendents and parents talking to their legislators saying yes, we want more money of course ... but we also want changes in the way our schools are managed. We want our principals to have the ability to manage their schools."

 

  • “Massachusetts has a choice,” Romney said. “We can provide our kids with a first-rate science education today or we can learn to live with a second-rate economy tomorrow.”

 

  • “I am grateful to each of these individuals for volunteering their time and expertise to helping my Administration successfully integrate all of our early education services under one roof,” Romney said. “Not only will this new agency ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent more wisely and efficiently, it will also improve the care we provide to our youngest citizens and their families.”

 

  • "This is a great day for education reform. Massachusetts is nationally recognized for its leadership on education reform, and we need to continue down the same path if we’re going to help our kids maximize their potential."

 

  • “This is a huge shot in the arm for our public colleges and universities. By targeting these resources to construct new facilities and upgrade existing ones, we can put our higher education system in a position to deliver the first class facilities that our students deserve.”

 

  • "I applaud the students, teachers and staff of these excellent schools for the hard work and creativity they have demonstrated as we continue making progress toward higher achievement for all students in Massachusetts," Romney said.

 

  • "If we’re serious about keeping our kids at the forefront of a highly challenging and competitive world economy, then we have to take the necessary steps to energize our education system," said Romney.

 

  • “We’re making progress, there’s no doubt about it, but we have more work to do. These test scores reflect the hard work and creativity of our students, teachers and schools, but they also reveal that some are still struggling. It is increasingly critical that we advance bold reforms to ensure greater accountability and performance in every classroom.”

 

  • “teachers like Jasmine Lellock and Thabiti Brown are critical to the success of our education initiatives and are doing an outstanding job preparing our children for future success in the classroom and the world,” Romney said. “Teaching professionals are the backbone of our educational system and the best should be recognized and rewarded.”

 

  • “Our Presidential Award nominees set a great example, not only for educators in Massachusetts, but for the nation,” Romney said. “Distinguished math and science teachers like these are the critical components of a public education system that will prepare us for the next century, and they deserve to be recognized for their hard work, creativity and dedication.”

 

  • “Paying for college is one of the largest financial challenges facing Massachusetts families,” said Romney. “For the second year in a row, I’m pleased to reward some of our most promising and hardworking students. When it comes to figuring out how much it will cost to send a son or daughter to college, the Adams scholarship will help ease some of that burden.”

 

2004 Governor Mitt Romney and Education Quotes

 

  • “Massachusetts has some of the best schools and teachers in the nation,” Romney said, speaking tonight from the historic House Chamber at the State House. “Education reform, adopted a decade ago, raised standards and closed funding gaps. But it was the first step, not the last.”

 

  • “We’re horribly backlogged in renovating and rebuilding old and dilapidated schools,” Romney said. “I will propose a series of construction reforms and a refinancing program that will jumpstart over 100 new and remodeled school projects.”

 

  • “Legacy of Learning puts people first, kids first. We’ll be putting our money where our future is,” Romney said.

 

  • “There are critical investments we can and should make in our children,” Romney said. “But those investments will only be made possible if we continue down the road to reform. I hope you will join with me in working for change.”

 

  • “Families all across the Commonwealth are struggling to pay to send their children to college,” Romney said. “The new Adams scholarship will make the dream of obtaining a college education a reality for thousands of Bay State students and keep our most talented students right here in Massachusetts.”

 

  • “We can praise the virtues of parental involvement all day, but until we actually get parents to follow through we are simply singing to an empty music hall. Voluntary programs will not get the job done. It is essential that mandatory training be put in place. This will not be a strain on parent who are already hard-pressed, as some have suggested. This is mandatory counseling they are already receiving. We are simply updating it with information they will need to make their child’s education a success.”

 

  • “I am committed to unlocking the potential of every child, no matter which school they attend,” Romney said. “Our children cannot wait for slow, methodic changes. They need our help now and this report will serve as a blueprint for immediate reform.”

 

  • “Let there be no doubt, I will veto any charter school moratorium that reaches my desk,” said Romney, appearing at Roxbury Preparatory Charter School with parents of children affected by the proposed moratorium.

 

  • “Families all across the Commonwealth are struggling to afford to send their children to college,” Romney said, during a rare appearance before a meeting of the Board of Higher Education. “The new Adams scholarship will make the dream of obtaining a college education a reality for thousands of Bay State students and keep our most talented students right here in Massachusetts.”

 

  • “Massachusetts has often been at the forefront of educational reform. In the spirit of that reform, less than seven months ago, I stood in the House Chamber surrounded by members of the General Court and asked them in my State of the State address to work with me to ‘take every step, to prepare every child, for an ever more competitive future,’” said Romney. He added, “The centerpiece of my Legacy of Learning initiative included an ambitious school building program. Today I am pleased to say that, working with the Legislature, we delivered on that promise.”

 

Mitt Romney's education related press releases while governor of Massachusetts.

 

2003

 

  • “Seeing this groundswell of student support only boosts my belief that what we are trying to do in our higher education system is right,” Romney said. “I am committed to our plan, which guarantees quality, affordability and accessibility to all of our campuses for all Massachusetts residents.”

 

  • “education reform is working in Massachusetts,” Romney said. “I am proud of the progress shown by our students,” said Romney. “My Administration will continue to push for high standards that will restore the value of a high school diploma and better prepare our students for life after school.”

 

  • “We need to get our underperforming school districts back on track. It is time for the interests of the entrenched educational bureaucracy to take a back seat to the interests of our children and teachers.”
    • Governor Mitt Romney, 10-29-2003 Press Release 

Mitt Romney's Wikipedia education Entry

In 2004, Governor Mitt Romney established the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Program to reward the top 25 percent of Massachusetts high school students with a four-year, tuition-free scholarship to Massachusetts’ state university or colleges. He has also drafted other education reforms, including the recruitment of 1,000 skilled math and science instructors, bonuses of as much as $15,000 a year for top-performing teachers, and new intervention programs for failing schools.

 

Additionally, Romney began advocating for a nationwide focus on education through the recruitment of and better pay for math and science teachers, and allowing state governments to take control of underperforming schools after three instead of the six-year period that is now in place.

 

Speaking of the education provided to minority students, Romney said, "I really believe that the failure of our urban schools and, in some cases our suburban schools, to help minority students achieve the levels that are necessary for success in the workplace is the civil rights issue of our time."

 

In 1994 Romney, as a candidate for US Senate, pledged to vote to establish a means-tested school voucher program to allow students to attend the public or private school of their choice. He also supported abolishing the federal Department of education and favored keeping control of educational reform at the lowest level, closest to parents, teachers, and the community (Boston Globe review of 1994 campaign issues Mar 21, 2002)

 

In April of 2006, Romney outlined his 6-point plan for improving the country's education in an Op/Ed in the Washington Times.

 

Governor Mitt Romney and education Blogs

Blogs on education

education Essay that I like

Call for help

Please help me organize the best stuff first. I want it to be comprehensive. Lets links to all the blogs, and anything.

education Sub-Categories

  1. Abstinence education
  2. Charter Schools
  3. education Reform]
  4. Politics and Schools

Mitt Romney's Education:

 

  • Undergraduate at Stanford and Brigham Young University (Highest Honors and Valedictorian). J.D. and M.B.A. from Harvard University (Baker Scholar).

 

Romney graduated from the Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills (now Cranbrook Kingswood School). He met his future wife, Ann Davies (born in 1949), when she was at the Kingswood School.

 

After attending Stanford University for two quarters, Romney served for two and one-half years as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in France. Upon returning from his mission, he transferred universities and subsequently received his B.A. with Highest Honors and as valedictorian from Brigham Young University in 1971. In 1975, Romney was awarded an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and was named a Baker scholar. In 1975 he also received his J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School.

 

Exterior Links

 

Re: America's Single Greatest Challenge?

 

 

 

RE: David's Question on Education in a Changing World

 

A response to David Collaruso's question on remaining nimble in a changing world and the importance of education reform. Part of my week in the You Choose '08 Spotlight. 

Beliefs about Mitt Romney and Education.

  1. Mitt Romney would be the best candidate to reform education].
  2. Mitt Romney supports charter schools.
  3. Mitt Romney did better in school than any of the other candidates, Republican or Democrat.

 

 

Today's schools are falling further and further behind world standards. It is time to raise the bar on education by making teaching a true profession, measuring progress, providing a focus on math and science, and involving parents from the beginning of a child's school career.

 

 

  • "Massachusetts children cannot only lead the nation in test scores, they can be competitive with the best in the world. And the gap in achievement among races can virtually disappear."
    • Governor Mitt Romney

Today’s schools are falling further and further behind world standards. It is time to raise the bar on education by making teaching a true profession, measuring progress, providing a focus on Math and Science, and involving Parents from the beginning of a child’s school career.

 

Quotes from Mitt Romney on Education

  • "It's time to raise the bar on education by making teaching a true profession, measuring progress, providing a focus on math and science, and involving parents from the beginning of a child's school career."
    • Governor Mitt Romney  

 

 

 

 

Questions for Governor Mitt Romney

 

Education

  1. In you history, it includes Stanford for how long?
  2. You finished first in your class at Brigham Young University in Utah?
  3. Why did you go to Brigham Young?
  4. How did you -- how were able to get an MBA and a law degree at the same time?
  5. And clearly it would be why you did well and, as you know, you finished well enough to give the valedictory address -- the question I want to ask you though is why do you think you did well? Other than having a lot of brainpower, did you have an approach to education?

 

School Choice

 

Also See:

Why I don't Support Huckabee

Why I don't support Rudy

"Why I Support Mitt Romney for President"

 

www.thefire.org/

 

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