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Duncan Hunter on Education
Voted YES on requiring states to test students. No Child Left Behind Act of 2001: Vote to pass a bill that would authorize $22.8 billion in education funding, a 29 percent increase from fiscal 2001. The bill would require states to test students to track progress.
Bill sponsored by Boehner R-OH; Bill HR 1 ; vote number 2001-145 on May 23, 2001
Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) cosponsored the Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success (A-Plus) Act of 2007 (Hoekstra-MI), legislation reforming the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. The A-Plus Act specifically provides states and schools flexibility to improve student achievement without burdensome federal regulations and restrictions.
Under the A-Plus Act [which Hunter cosponsored]: States have the option to submit to the Secretary of Education a declaration of intent, which authorizes participating states to assume full responsibility for the educational needs of its students; States not wishing to submit a declaration of intent are required to comply with the mandates established under NCLB.
Voted NO on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges. This vote is on a substitute bill (which means an amendment which replaces the entire text of the original bill). Voting YES means support for the key differences from the original bill: lowering student loan interest rates; $59 million for a new Predominantly Black Serving Institution program; $25 million for a new graduate Hispanic Serving Institution program; provide for year- round Pell grants; and repeal the Single Lender rule. The substitute's opponents say: It is not totally the Federal Government's responsibility to provide for all of higher education.
Reverse the Raid on Student Aid Act; Bill HR 609 Amendment 772 ; vote number 2006-080 on Mar 30, 2006
I'm for a very conservative approach to Affirmative Action. I would say it's in very, very limited areas where Affirmation Action - I would say building opportunity, affording opportunity, but not giving hand-outs.
Voted YES on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions. Voted YES on HR 6, the Higher Education Amendments Act of 1997, would prohibit any post-secondary institution that participates in any program under the Higher Education Act from discriminating or granting any preferential treatment in admission based on race, sex, ethnicity, color or national origin.
Amendment introduced by Riggs, R-CA.; Bill HR 6 ; vote number 1998-133 on May 6, 1998
No Child Left Behind Act of 2001: Vote to pass a bill that would authorize $22.8 billion in education funding, a 29 percent increase from fiscal 2001.
Bill sponsored by Boehner R-OH; Bill HR 1 ; vote number 2001-145 on May 23, 2001
Voted YES on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer. Voted YES on motion to add language to the "Goals 2000: Educate America Act" to give federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer.
Bill HR 1804 ; vote number 1994-85 on Mar 23, 1994
Voted YES on vouchers for private & parochial schools. Vote YES to pass a 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 education, Congressman Hunter supports returning control of curricula to the states. He also supports school choice in the form of vouchers and tax credits. He is also a proponent of parents controlling the education of their own children via home-schooling. [Hunter supports school choice but favors vouchers and funding for home-school more so then charter schools]
Voted YES to amend title VI and X of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to improve and expand charter schools. The Act grants priority for additional funding after the initial $51 million appropriation to states that evaluate and monitor charter schools' success at least once every five years, increase the number of successful charter schools, and allow charter schools to maintain fiscal autonomy.
I support taking the actions necessary to strengthen our public educational system and school vouchers are a great opportunity to provide students and their families with additional educational choices. A significant percentage of high school students have difficulty reading at a proficient level, test well below the international average in math and science, and lack basic knowledge in history. Clearly, parents have a reason to be concerned. Many Americans support innovative plans that address our current education shortcomings and I believe school vouchers are an effective way of achieving this goal.
Campaign website, www.gohunter08.com, "Core Principles" Sep 1, 2007
Voted YES on allowing vouchers in DC schools. Voted YES to create a non-profit corporation to administer federally-funded vouchers for low-income children in the District of Columbia.
Amendment introduced by Armey, R-TX; Bill HR 4380 ; vote number 1998-411 on Aug 6, 1998
Voted YES on vouchers for private & parochial schools. Vote YES to pass a 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
Voted YES on requiring states to test students. No Child Left Behind Act of 2001: Vote to pass a bill that would authorize $22.8 billion in education funding, a 29 percent increase from fiscal 2001. The bill would require states to test students to track progress.
Bill sponsored by Boehner R-OH; Bill HR 1 ; vote number 2001-145 on May 23, 2001
Hunter is a co-sponsor of The A-Plus Ac, which provides states with the resources and flexibility to improve academic achievement while, at the same time, maintaining accountability standards for students and teachers.
Under the A-Plus Act [which Hunter cosponsored]: States have the option to submit to the Secretary of Education a declaration of intent, which authorizes participating states to assume full responsibility for the educational needs of its students; States not wishing to submit a declaration of intent are required to comply with the mandates established under NCLB. [under NCLB (No Child Left Behind) standardized tests are used to measure public school performance.]
The A-Plus Act [which Hunter cosponsered] provides states with the resources and flexibility to improve academic achievement while, at the same time, maintaining accountability standards for students and teachers. [Hunter would support allowing States and localities flexibility in how they allocate school resources, this would include allowing them to determin the best amount and type of pay for teachers.]
Voted YES to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to empower teachers, improve student achievement through high-quality professional development for teachers, reauthorize the Reading Excellence Act, and for other purposes. Amendment Authorizes local educational agencies to use funds for teacher quality improvement and professional development, including technology training, tenure reform, and merit pay
Voted YES to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to empower teachers, improve student achievement through high-quality professional development for teachers, reauthorize the Reading Excellence Act, and for other purposes. Amendment Authorizes local educational agencies to use funds for teacher quality improvement and professional development, including technology training, tenure reform, and merit pay
Hunter wants to shift control of education policy to local level, saying we can educate students more effectively by returning school curriculum prerogatives to the states, local communities and, most importantly, to the family. [Shifting control of education to the local level would allow localities to establish the amount and type of teacher pay]
The A-Plus Act [which Hunter cosponsored] provides states with the resources and flexibility to improve academic achievement while, at the same time, maintaining accountability standards for students and teachers. [Hunter would support allowing States and localities flexibility in how they allocate school resources, this would include allowing them to determine the best amount and type of pay for teachers.]
When asked in republican debate if anybody on the stage does not believe in evolution: TANCREDO, HUCKABEE, and BROWNBACK raise their hands, indicating that they do not believe in evolution. [Hunter did not raise his hand and therefor does believe in evolution]
2007 GOP primary debate, at Reagan library, hosted by MSNBC May 3, 2007
Voted YES on allowing school prayer during the War on Terror. Voted YES 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 Isakson, R-GA; Bill H.Con.Res.239 ; vote number 2001-445 on Nov 15, 2001
Voted YES on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer. Voted YES on motion to add language to the "Goals 2000: Educate America Act" to give federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer.
Bill HR 1804 ; vote number 1994-85 on Mar 23, 1994
Hunter sponsored a resolution for a School Prayer Amendment:H.J.RES.52 (2001), H.J.RES.66 (1999), S.J.RES. 1, H.J.RES.12, H. J. RES. 108, & H. J. RES. 55:Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to prohibit individual or group prayer in public schools or other public institutions. No person shall be required by the United States or by any State to participate in prayer . Neither the United States nor any State shall compose the words of any prayer to be said in public schools. H. J. RES. 78 (1997): To secure the people's right to acknowledge God according to the dictates of conscience: Neither the United States nor any State shall establish any official religion, but the people's right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, or traditions on public property, including schools, shall not be infringed. Neither the United States nor any State shall require any person to join in prayer or other religious activity, prescribe school prayers, discriminate against religion, or deny equal access to a benefit on account of religion.
H.J.Res.78 97-HJR78 on May 8, 1997
Voted YES to pass a bill that would raise the loan forgiveness amounts from $5,000 to $17,500 for elementary and secondary math, science, reading, and special education teachers in low-income schools.[this is a voluntary program of loan forgiveness in exchange for public service.]