Jeff Merkley on Education

Democratic Senate Challenger; member of State House

History making efforts that improved education in Oregon

Passed a landmark bi-partisan education budget which increased K-12 and higher education funding by 18% over 2005
Increased funding for Oregon's pre-kindergarten/Head Start Program that will allow 75% of eligible children to enroll, up from 50% at previous funding levels
More than doubled the funds available for student financial aid and made it available to part-time students for the first time in Oregon's history;
Passed the largest investment in community college and university facilities and repairs in Oregon's history;
Added $28 million for university research and development in wave energy, nanoscience, and biotechnology.

While these efforts have certainly improved education in Oregon, without sufficient support at the federal level, these improvements cannot be sustained. As Senator, Jeff will work to ensure that all children in the US receive the education they need to have a successful future. Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, "Issues" Jun 3, 2008

Completely overhaul No Child Left Behind

A school's improvement should be measured not only by test scores, but also by students' improvement over time, attendance, graduation rates and other standards that states themselves determine. Schools should not have to choose between music and math: all children need a well-rounded curriculum, instead of being taught for a test. Instead of penalizing schools, teachers and students who need the most help, the US should provide needed resources to schools with hard to teach students and reward schools, teachers and students who show measurable improvement. Congress must restore efforts to reduce class sizes. Jeff will lead this fight to make sure that students actually have the time to get the help they need from teachers. States need the flexibility to adopt practices appropriate to each school district. Teachers need the salary, support and resources they deserve, especially in their first three years in the classroom and in hard-to-staff schools. Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, "Issues" Jun 3, 2008

Fully fund public schools

Bush proposed making drastic cuts to the Department of Education, which would have made Oregon one of 44 states to receive less funding next year. Jeff will fight to ensure that these sorts of cuts never happen and that schools have the funding they need to educate our children. The expiration of the federal timber payments plan has hit Oregon's schools hard. Jeff will work to fully restore the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act to improve education. Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, "Issues" Jun 3, 2008

Head Start Programs must be fully funded

Every child eligible for Head Start should have the opportunity to enroll. Participation in Head Start remains one of the most effective ways to improve the educational performance of children in the US. Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, "Issues" Jun 3, 2008

Increase the size and number of Pell Grants available

Provide opportunities for high school students: a college education must be affordable. The size and number of Pell Grants available to students must be increased. Public college tuition has increased 35 percent over the past four years, but student aid has not kept pace. Workers who possess a college or vocational degree earn approximately 75 percent more than those without a higher education degree. Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, "Issues" Jun 3, 2008

Create a broad-based college tuition tax break

A broad-based college tuition tax break should be created for all Americans by providing a deduction of up to $10,000 for college tuition, or a credit of up to $3,000. Government should be doing more--not less--to relieve the growing financial burden of college and relieve the anxiety of parents who worry that they won't be able to afford their children's college education. Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, "Issues" Jun 3, 2008

Let parents get involved in their child's education

Create opportunities for parents to be as involved in their child's education as they are able. Studies show that parental involvement plays a key role in a child's school achievement. When parents are forced to work two and three jobs just to make ends meet, that leaves little time to focus on their kids' education. Building a secure middle class is a key to a good education for our children. Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, "Issues" Jun 3, 2008

Fully fund Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Provide all Americans with a good education: the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) must be fully funded. Congress promised to provide 40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure for each child in special education. However, the federal government has never allocated more than 17 percent to states to carry out the law. In addition, Bush's proposed FY2008 budget would have cut $800 million in special education programs. Jeff Merkley will work for full funding. Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, "Issues" Jun 3, 2008

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*Other candidates on Education:*		*Jeff Merkley on other issues:*
*OR Gubernatorial:* Ted Kulongoski *OR Senatorial:* Dave Brownlow Gordon Harold Smith Ron Wyden *2008 Senate retirements:* Wayne Allard(R,CO) Larry Craig(R,ID) Pete Domenici(R,NM) Chuck Hagel(R,NE) Trent Lott(R,MS) Craig Thomas(R,WY) John Warner(R,VA) *2008 Presidential Contenders:* Chuck Baldwin(C) Rep.Bob Barr(L) Sen.Hillary Clinton(D) Sen.Mike Gravel(L) Alan Keyes(C) Sen.John McCain(R) Rep.Cynthia McKinney(G) Ralph Nader(I) Sen.Barack Obama(D) Rep.Ron Paul(R)	*2008 Senate Races:* AK:Stevens v.Begich v.Cuddy v.Sikma AL:Sessions v.Figures AR:Pryor v.Kennedy CO:Schaffer v.Udall DE:Biden v.O`Donnell GA:Chambliss v.Martin v.Buckley IA:Harkin v.Reed ID:Risch v.LaRocco v.Rammell IL:Durbin v.Sauerberg v.Stafford KS:Roberts v.Jones v.Slattery KY:McConnell v.Lunsford LA:Landrieu v.Kennedy MA:Kerry v.O`Reilly v.Beatty v.Underwood ME:Collins v.Allen MI:Levin v.Hoogendyk MN:Coleman v.Franken v.Barkely v.Cavlan MS4:Wicker v.Musgrove MS6:Cochran v.Fleming MT:Baucus v.Kelleher NC:Dole v.Hagan NE:Johanns v.Kleeb v.Larrick NH:Sununu v.Shaheen v.Blevens NJ:Lautenberg v.Zimmer Pearce v.Udall OK:Inhofe v.Rice OR:Smith v.Merkley v.Brownlow RI:Reed v.Young v.Tingle SC:Graham v.Conley v.McBride SD:Johnson v.Dykstra TN:Alexander v.Tuke v.Lugo v.Heyward TX:Cornyn v.Noriega v.Jameson VA:Gilmore v.Warner WV:Rockefeller v.Wolfe WY4:Barrasso v.Carter v.Goodenough WY6:Enzi v.Rothfuss	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Jobs Principles Social Security Tax Reform Technology War/Peace Welfare Other Senators House of Representatives SenateMatch (matching quiz) Senate Votes (analysis) House Votes Bill Sponsorships Affiliations Policy Reports Group Ratings

Page last updated: Aug 15, 2008