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Dennis Kucinich on Education
When asked: legislation like the No Child Left Behind Act effective in improving [public education] conditions? Kucinich Stated: "the answer is no with respect to No Child Left Behind... We as a nation would benefit to have a universal pre-kindergarten program for children ages 3,4&5... That would provide reading skills, social skills, education skills, nutritional program... this would be instrumental in helping to close some of the achievement gaps, which was the basis of the creation, at least theoretically, of the No Child Left Behind program."
When asked if he would throw out No Child Left Behind: Yes, I would. I would replace it with is a new educational structure where the focus would be on helping to bring forth the creativity of our children in stressing arts and language, music; to invite the participation of educational philosophers and psychologists and administrators and teachers and parents and children; to take a new focus on our education, to stop this incessant direction of trying to make us a nation of test-takers, of putting the pressure on teachers to teach to the test, and then school districts depending on the results of those tests for their funding. No Child Left Behind has not worked out the way that anyone thought it would. It's become an unfunded mandate.
Democratic 2004 Primary Debate at St. Anselm College Jan 22, 2004
No Child Left Behind has been an immense failure. It is underfunded. It takes the wrong approach. It treats education as a factory line where graduation rates are the equivalent to production quotas.
We need to have a policy in education which first of all is guided by certain fundamental rights--[I support the] bill that makes having an equal opportunity for education a matter of a constitutional privilege. And it is imperative that we have a constitutional amendment guaranteeing educational opportunity equality.
2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University Jun 28, 2007
Affirmative action is necessary, affirmative action is right, and affirmative action must be preserved. I supported the Supreme Court's decision allowing colleges and universities to use race and ethnicity as an admission factor. In Congress, I joined with 110 representatives to file a friend of the court brief in defense of the University of Michigan's affirmative action policies. And I continue the fight for diversity and civil rights. Until America is truly a level playing field, affirmative action will be essential to achieving those goals.
Affirmative action is still essential, because a truly level playing field is still an elusive goal, not a reality. Today, we must stand united in our support of affirmative action. Our nation is at a critical junction; the Supreme Court must not send our nation back into some of the darkest moments in our history, but instead lead our nation to a fair and just future.
"I know that education is critical to this country's future. And because I understand that, we have to start shifting our resources. You know education receives only a fraction of the resources of this country. I want to see at least a 15% cut in the bloated pentagon budget -- and put that money in education. That would bring at least $75 billion dollars a year, perhaps almost doubling the education budget. We need to show the children of this country that we really do care, that we really know that the path toward the future is through education."
Since education is the only proven way to reduce poverty, it is unacceptable that a child's education be dependent on where they are born or the financial status of their family. The federal government spends only 2.9% of its budget on education. This must change. Quality education is a core American right and value. Schools need money to decrease class size, increase teachers' salaries, renovate decaying facilities, and for pre-kindergarten and after-school programs
2006 Congressional campaign website, www.kucinich.us Nov 7, 2006
Kucinich sponsored a bill H.R.340: To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to improve the quality of public education and raise student achievement by increasing investment, strengthening accountability, raising standards for teachers, improving professional development and teacher compensation, rewarding successful schools, and providing better information to parents, and for other purposes.
H.R.340 01-HR340 on Jan 31, 2001
"I want to see a transformation in the meaning of the elementary and secondary education act when it's fully funded."
We've seen the rise of charter schools and vouchers and that money comes right out of public school budgets. So, as a result, the needs of public education keep building.
Congressman Kucinich examined the funding of charter schools and voiced concern over the teaching of basic, necessary skills to students at primary and secondary levels. He maintained that although a blending of vocational education and fundamental education is necessary, our educational system must be sure to teach students the basic skills.
Sending a few kids somewhere else at the public's expense and leaving the other children in a crumbling school even shorter on funds than before is no solution at all. Vouchers divert public money away from the vast majority of public school students. In most cases, these are the students who need it the most. As president, I will lead in the fight to improve public schools, and oppose alternatives that divert attention, energy, and resources from efforts to reduce class size, enhance teacher quality, and provide every student with books, computers, and safe and orderly schools.
Associated Press policy Q&A, "School Vouchers" Jan 25, 2004
Voted NO on allowing vouchers in DC schools. Voted NO to create a non-profit corporation to administer federally-funded vouchers for low-income children in the District of Columbia
Bill sponsored by Riggs, R-CA; Bill HR 2746 ; vote number 1997-569 on Nov 4, 1997
Voted NO on vouchers for private & parochial schools. Vote No on bill to allow states to use certain federal funds designated for elementary and secondary education to provide scholarships, or vouchers, to low-income families to send their children to private schools, including religious schools.
Bill sponsored by Riggs, R-CA; Bill HR 2746 ; vote number 1997-569 on Nov 4, 1997
On taking back his support for No Child Left behind's testing standards: I would replace it with is a new educational structure where the focus would be on helping to bring forth the creativity of our children in stressing arts and language, music; to invite the participation of educational philosophers and psychologists and administrators and teachers and parents and children; to take a new focus on our education, to stop this incessant direction of trying to make us a nation of test-takers, of putting the pressure on teachers to teach to the test, and then school districts depending on the results of those tests for their funding.
Democratic 2004 Primary Debate at St. Anselm College Jan 22, 2004
He voted to instate [No Child Left Behind], but has come out against it since, stating that it puts too much of an emphasis on test-taking and that he would throw it out.
"[I want to see] teachers have the chance for professional development and academic development. The incentives need to be there and they need to be monetary incentives.''
Teachers, doctors, veterinarians, and other important service providers should be offered incentives to work in under-served areas.
If we build better schools, offer better pay and elevate the role of teachers in our schools and society, the best and brightest will come in search of the noblest profession. [He would suppport all teachers being paid more, where merit pay would pay the best performing teachers more.]
Kucinich would like increases in teacher pay across the board. [He would suppport all teachers being paid more, where merit pay would pay the best performing teachers more.]
Schools need money to decrease class size, increase teachers' salaries, renovate decaying facilities, and for pre-kindergarten and after-school programs.
2006 Congressional campaign website, www.kucinich.us Nov 7, 2006
Kucinich would like increases in teacher pay across the board.
If we build better schools, offer better pay and elevate the role of teachers in our schools and society, the best and brightest will come in search of the noblest profession
"After Republican debate Anderson Cooper, James Carville (CNN political analyst), and Ralph Reed (Republican strategist) discuss the debate and the Democratic candidate's position on evolution: Carville: Every Democratic candidate believes in evolution obviously, every Democratic candidate believes in evolution. Every Democratic candidate thinks it ought to be taught in schools."
Voted NO on allowing school prayer during the War on Terror. Voted No on Children's Prayers Resolution: Expressing the sense of Congress that schools should allow children time to pray for, or silently reflect upon, the country during the war against terrorism
Bill sponsored by Boehner R-OH; Bill HR 1 ; vote number 2001-145 on May 23, 2001
Opposes requiring schools to allow school prayer. Kucinich sponsored a bill weakening the requirements on voluntary prayer: H.R.340: SEC. 10410. SCHOOL PRAYER: Any State or local educational agency that is adjudged by a Federal court of competent jurisdiction to have willfully violated a Federal court order mandating that such local educational agency remedy a violation of the constitutional right of any student with respect to prayer in public schools, shall be ineligible to receive Federal funds under this Act until such time as the local educational agency complies with such order.
H.R.340 01-HR340 on Jan 31, 2001
Kucinich has voted repeatedly against school prayer bills.
I would take the approach that John F. Kennedy took when he said, "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country," and inspire young people to want to serve. And want to serve not only in the military, which is honorable service, but also to serve in helping to clean up our environment. Also to serve in tutoring children and helping the elderly and working in hospitals.
There are so many different ways that we can encourage you to serve. To make it mandatory loses the point. People want to love America again. And when you have a president who will inspire the young people, they'll want to get involved.