Pence Outlines Education Plan

September 7, 2012

News Release

Carmel, Ind. -- Mike Pence today outlined his plans to make Indiana the state that works for Hoosier students by developing world-class schools.

"We cannot succeed in the marketplace if we fail in the classroom," said Pence. "There's nothing that ails public education that can't be fixed if we give parents more choices and teachers more freedom to teach."

In recent years, Indiana has taken historic steps to support students, families and educators by promoting excellence, accountability, and choice. The results have been improvements in math and reading skills, increases in graduation rates, and opportunities for thousands of students from low- and middle-income families to attend a school of their choice.

In the years ahead, there is still much to be done. In 2011, nearly 20 percent of Indiana schools were placed on academic watch or probation by the Indiana Department of Education. Nearly 50 percent of schools were rated mediocre or worse. And 4,600 kids in the class of 2011 didn't complete high school at all.

To begin to address these issues, Pence proposed the following policy steps:

• Support third grade reading standard and increase math skill development
• Support quality, community pre-K initiatives and examine opportunities to increase access to pre-K for underprivileged children
• Support expanded choice, access to quality schools and continue to ensure that Indiana is on the cutting edge of charter school innovation
• Promote quality schools by developing talented school leaders
• Fund excellence by increasing rewards for great schools and great teachers
• Give teachers more freedom to teach
• Address the dropout and remediation crisis

"For each year that passes, we fail the thousands of children that drop out of our schools or graduate without the skills to enter the workforce or college," said Pence. "These issues are urgent, and they deserve a resolve to confront the barriers that impede success for our children."

Source: Mike Pence For Indiana

September 7, 2012

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS – In response to Congressman Pence’s press release regarding education issues, Gregg for Governor Communications Director Daniel Altman issued the following statement:

“There is only one candidate who has released a concrete plan to improve early childhood education in Indiana and that candidate is John Gregg. Instead of telling us what he will do, all Congressman Pence can offer is generalities. Maybe that is because he voted to cut $2.3 billion in K-12 education (H.R. 1, Cox amendment).”

“As a former President of Vincennes University, John Gregg understands the importance of education at all levels. That is why he will invest in early childhood education that better prepares our children for schools and also saves the state $7 for every dollar we invest.”

Source: Gregg For Governor