Daniel Boone - Education
2012 Campaign Website Statements
Education:
We must demand quality education for all, not just for the wealthy. Education must be flexible to meet the demands and skills of all our youth. The cost of education must be affordable to all seeking to improve by learning.
Benjamin Franklin observed, "Good government requires an educated citizenry." When Public Education became a reality and an American ideal, it lifted our citizens far above the old, socially stratified nations of Europe. We still offer opportunity for all our youth; let's be certain our public educational efforts are not cut in the name of privatization.
The defining character of the American people is not in common language, physical features or geography, but is rather our shared commitment to the Constitution. This document clearly defines us as a people and how we will conduct ourselves in dealing with each other. Divided into three separate sections, the Constitution’s Preamble addresses the purposes of government, its Body defines the structure of governing the people and the Amendments describe important specific safeguards clarified by Congress. This well conceived document enables us to regulate the affairs of our nation.
Often the Body of the Constitution and the Amendments are emphasized to the exclusion of the Preamble. In reality, the Preamble itself is of prime importance as it defines the six main reasons for the founding fathers creating the Union. The fifth identified purpose of the Union is to “promote the general welfare” of the people. This phrase is clear in its meaning though now being debated by those who would limit its reach.
Benjamin Franklin had this phrase in mind, correctly I suggest, when he stated that an informed public is necessary for the conduct of a democracy. This conviction was further validated by Thomas Jefferson’s founding of the University of Virginia. Jefferson believed this to be his most significant contribution to the United States society – so much so that the inscription on his tombstone does not mention his presidency, but instead records his founding of the university.Today we face candidates who suggest scrapping our Department of Education (DOE) for the money it might save as a justification for limiting support for educating the children of the republic. While it may be that the department does not fully meet its intended function, it would be disastrous to abolish a department that serves to further a basic function of democracy, public education for an informed citizenry. I believe the greater good is better served by reforming its structure to more closely match its intended purpose; to assist the states in improving the education of American youth.
The intent of the Department of Education is not to define what is taught, or define what the states “should” teach, but rather to assist in improving the quality of teaching and supporting the states school curriculum and system. To that end I will propose legislation that redirects the DOE to give states the means to establish effective and meaningful assessment methodology and to maximize the efficiency of teaching methodology. The DOE must provide leadership and support in developing skilled administrators and teachers without cumbersome requirements that distract from student learning and the public school system.
The purpose of the DOE is to “contribute” to the development of the informed citizen not to define the citizen. Only educated and informed citizens can carry out the demands of a democracy. The input of educators and concerned citizens are required for this happen. To implement a strong and effective system of public education requires the participation of the people to accomplish this important task. This means that our citizens must be involved at a national level to determine how we educate our youth.
College education loan repaymentRecent college graduates are a national resource - young, enthusiastic and energetic. After completing higher education, many are faced with staggering student loan debt. With our current economy, they find their growing student loans emotionally and financially overwhelming. These young adults want to contribute to our society and they need work. Their employment can become a vital service in the renewal of the American infrastructure and spirit. We have the opportunity to help them and our nation at the same time.
Much of our existing infrastructure – works that government does on behalf of us all - is in dire need of significant repair or replacement. Now is the time to support its renewal; creating new jobs and at the same time, increasing the tax base. Employing this newly graduating pool of citizens serves a positive purpose. It creates jobs. To this end, I propose employment in public service as a method of payment for student loans. By providing employment to currently unemployed graduates we offer them a three year work history and a mechanism for repaying student loans.
The Plan: Employment in public service will be consistent with the area of expertise. The level of pay will be partially reduced by an amount that would be matched by federal funds for each year of service. During the period of employment, no interest will accrue on the loan. The employee may terminate employment at any time during this period. The remaining debt would again begin accruing interest at the original contract rate. At the end of a three year period of employment, the total student loan will be considered paid in full.
This proposal addresses two major areas of concern:
1. The conservative Republican mantra that government should not be in the business of paying for education of individuals.
2. The current lack of jobs and work experience for recent college graduates.A hypothetical example: A recent engineering graduate has a student loan of sixty thousand dollars at an interest rate of 6% and is unable able to find employment. This person will be offered employment in a public works project that normally commands $60,000.per year at an annual salary of $50,000. The $10,000 difference is credited toward the student loan. This amount is matched by an equal employment grant credit of $10,000. This means $20,000 of the loan is repaid after year one’s employment service – 1/3 of the total loan amount. This continues for years two and three.
Parameters of the plan: The student loan accrues no interest during this employment. At the end of three years, the engineer will have paid back half the loan from reduced salary at no interest and gained three years of job experience. The remaining half of the loan will have been credited as public service.
This proposal creates a win-win situation. It provides a path for graduates to work and repay currently non-payable student loans. It improves the infrastructure needs of the United States and creates jobs for people who want work and to contribute to our nation. The nation gains three years of service of a graduate at less than street value.
If elected to the Senate, I shall propose and support this legislation. I ask for your input – ideas and suggestions for improving this proposal. Please reply to my face book or email.