John Edwards 2004 On The Issues

John Edwards' Plan For Quality Schools And College

John Edwards knows that a good public education can help a young person overcome tremendous odds and reach his or her potential. As president, John Edwards will end the shame of the two public school systems in America where the quality of education too often depends on the affluence of the neighborhood. That is why John Edwards has a comprehensive plan to strengthen our schools, support our teachers, expand after-school programs, and improve our high schools. He also has offered a plan called "College for Everyone" which would make college tuition free for the first year for every person who is qualified to attend a public college and is willing to work part-time. Because John Edwards was the first in his family to go to college, he will provide the leadership that is lacking in Washington to ensure that teachers can teach and students can learn.

Education and Opportunity:
"At the heart of the American dream there's a simple bargain: if you work hard and play by the rules, America will give you the chance to build a better future for you and your children. Now as never before, education is the key to that opportunity. Without the combination of support from loving parents, terrific teachers, and public schools at every level, I would never be standing here today. Unfortunately, that combination is getting harder and harder to find in America. Too many kids are trapped in schools that don't work. Too many kids who beat the odds and succeed in school can't afford to go on to college, even as kids with the most advantages get special privileges."

Investing in Teachers:

"A great education starts with a great teacher. It's as simple as that."

College for Everyone:
"Providing a free year of college tuition will eliminate the sticker shock that scares off so many kids. It will simplify a financial aid process now so complex that getting a student loan can be tougher than getting a small business loan. After students get through that first year, which is the toughest, they'll know financial aid is available, they'll know education is an investment worth making, and they'll have access to people who can help them pursue both. Maybe more important, if they work hard, they'll know they can succeed in college."

Details of John Edwards' Plan to Fix America's Schools

Invest in Americas Teachers.

A New Deal for Teachers

Teachers earn too little, and the schools that need good teachers the most pay them the least. Edwards will invest in paying teachers better and increasing pay for teachers who take on the toughest jobs.

He will target resources to the school districts with the greatest shortages and will support teacher quality reforms like those in North Carolina. Edwards' plan will double the $3 billion that the federal government invests in teacher training today.

Scholarships for Teachers

Edwards believes we should launch a nationwide program that will pay for the education costs for students who make a five-year commitment to teach somewhere top-flight teachers are in short supply.

Create New Afterschool Programs

High-Quality Afterschool Programs

Children with nowhere to go are more likely to find trouble or be victims of crime. Afterschool programs provide a safe, nourishing place for children. Edwards supports offering quality programs to millions of children whose parents want them. His initiative will:

Provide opportunities at or near every school.
Make the opportunities high quality.

Invest in our future competitiveness through education and innovation. Build on successful programs at schools and non-profit agencies like Boys and Girls Clubs and YMCAs.

Strengthen American High Schools

Create Smaller High Schools

Schools should be places where the adults know kids' names, and know if they have a special talent or are on the edge of trouble.

Edwards will help districts where school size has grown out of control to build new schools, break up existing schools, or renovate and reopen old ones.

Support Diversity in Public Schools

While Edwards opposes vouchers, he supports proven methods of public school choice that require all schools to meet the same standards and employ highly qualified teachers.

Improve the High School Curriculum

Every child deserves a chance at a college-prep education, and so every child should be put on the college-prep track, although parents could still choose another curriculum.

Edwards will also ask every college to take responsibility for at least one high-poverty school and expand college outreach programs to give more than a million disadvantaged students a shot at a brighter future.

Support Community Service

Schools should reinforce parents' efforts to teach values like responsibility and commitment to community. Edwards supports high schools that require community service as a condition of high school graduation.

Improve Career Education

Edwards values the work of all Americans, including those who don't have a college degree. He will expand training opportunities, strengthen partnerships between high schools and community colleges, and modernize our vocational high schools so students get the training they need for the good jobs where skilled workers are in short supply today.

College for Everyone.

Offer "College for Everyone"

Edwards will provide one year of free tuition to public universities and community colleges.

In return, students will be required to come to college academically prepared and to work or serve their communities for an average of 10 hours each week.

End "Legacy" Admissions

Many colleges are more likely to admit students whose parents attended. The "legacy" admissions preferences stack the deck against students who may be the first in their family to go to college.

While strongly supporting affirmative action to open the doors of college, Edwards believes colleges and universities should eliminate legacy preferences.

Use Direct Student Loans

Each year, taxpayers spend billions subsidizing banks to make student loans guaranteed against default. If we made the loans directly through competitive contracts, we would save billions of dollars each year.

Source: John Edwards for President 2004 Web Site