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Education

Mitt Romney and Education

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. - 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.

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.

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." Source: ____

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.” Source: 04-07-2003 Press Release

• “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.” Source: 09-03-2003 Press Release

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

• “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.” Taken from a 01-15-2004 Press Release

2004

• “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.” Source: 01-15-2004 Press Release

• “Legacy of Learning puts people first, kids first. We’ll be putting our money where our future is,” Romney said. Source: 01-15-2004 Press Release

• “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.” Source: 01-16-2004 Press Release

• “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.” Source: 01-20-2004 Press Release

• “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.” Source: 02-25-2004 Press Release

• “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. Source: 05-05-2004 Press Release
• “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.” Taken from a 06-15-2004 Press Release

• “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.” Source: 07-28-2004 Press Release

2005

• “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.” Source: 01-25-2005 Press Release

• “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.” Source: 03-14-2005 Press Release

• "This is a great day for education reform," said Romney. "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." Source 07-14-2005 Press Release

• “This is a huge shot in the arm for our public colleges and universities,” said Romney. “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.” Source 07-18-2005 Press Release

• "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. Source: 09-13-2005 Press Release

• "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. Source: 09-22-2005 Press Release

• “We’re making progress, there’s no doubt about it, but we have more work to do,” Romney said. “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.” Source: 10-19-2005 Press Release

• “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.” Source: 10-28-2005- Press Release

• “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.” Source: 11-07-2005 Press Release

• “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.” Source: 12-15-2005 Press Release

2006

• “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.” Source: 01-11-2006 Press Release

• “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.” Source: 07-20-2006 Press Release

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.

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

2003

03-03-2003, ROMNEY RELEASES LATEST MCAS RETEST RESULTS FOR CLASS 2003

04-07-2003, ROMNEY WINS STUDENT SUPPORT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PLAN

09-03-2003, ROMNEY LAUDS STUDENTS' HIGH SCORES ON 2003 MCAS

10-29-2003, ROMNEY TAPS GROGAN TO HEAD EDUCATION TASK FORCE

2004

01-15-2004, ROMNEY FOCUSES ON EDUCATION IN 2004 STATE OF THE STATE

01-16-2004, ROMNEY TARGETS RESOURCES TO 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

2005

01-25-2005, ROMNEY MOVES TO MAKE SCIENCE A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT

03-14-2005, ROMNEY NAMES NINE-MEMBER EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE BOARD

06-22-2005, ROMNEY ANNOUNCES 2006 TEACHER OF THE YEAR

07-14-2005, ROMNEY ADMINISTRATION AWARDED $2 MILLION HIGH SCHOOL REFORM GRANT

07-18-2005, ROMNEY UNVEILS CAPITAL BUDGET, MAJOR FOCUS ON HIGHER ED

09-13-2005, ROMNEY HONORS 2005 COMMONWEALTH COMPASS SCHOOLS

09-22-2005, ROMNEY FILES COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION REFORM PACKAGE

10-19-2005, ROMNEY LAUDS NATION-TOPPING PERFORMANCE BY MASSACHUSETTS STUDENTS

10-28-2005-, ROMNEY JOINS IN SURPRISE PRESENTATIONS OF NATIONAL EDUCATOR AWARDS TO TOP MASSACHUSETTS TEACHERS

11-07-2005, ROMNEY HONORS SIX EDUCATORS FOR EXCELLENCE IN MATH AND SCIENCE

12-15-2005, ROMNEY AWARDS FREE TUITION TO 14,000 MASSACHUSETTS STUDENTS

2006

01-11-2006, ROMNEY TESTIFIES ON EDUCATION REFORM

07-20-2006, ROMNEY PROPOSES $8 MILLION FOR NATIONAL GUARD COLLEGE FEE WAIVERS

Mitt Romney's Wikipedia Education Entry

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 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

• Brain Training 06-26-05

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.

Exterior Links

• http://deschooling-society.blogspot.com/
• http://sanity.blog-city.com/read/education.htm
• http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?_=&ei=UTF-8&p=Governor+mitt+romney&b=0&oid=0c715fdd20fdb6cf&rurl=www.magnet.state.ma.us