The Virginian-Pilot
©
HAMPTON
The three Democrats running for governor played nice during their debate in front of educators Thursday, each promising to spend more on schools and teacher salaries, though there were a few schoolyard taunts.
Brian Moran and state Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, emphasized their legislative records on education issues, a veiled reference to Terry McAuliffe’s lack of direct government policy experience in Virginia.
“I have a record. You want to know what I will do? You know what I have done,” Moran, a former state delegate from Alexandria, said, referring to his support for then-Gov. Mark Warner’s 2004 tax increase package that boosted education funding.
Deeds, Moran and McAuliffe, former Democratic National Committee chairman, jointly appeared at the annual meeting of the Virginia Education Association, speaking to a crowd of roughly 750 at the Hampton convention center.
The Democrats will face each other in the June 9 primary.
Republican Bob McDonnell addressed the group alone, prior to the Democrats.
Each candidate responded to a series of questions posed by VEA president Kitty Boitnott. The candidates received the questions ahead of time.
Boitnott quizzed all four men about their positions on improving the state’s high school dropout rate; state dollars spent on public education; teacher salaries; tuition vouchers, and protecting Virginia’s pension plan for educators.
The Democrats offered similar responses to the questions.
Deeds drew applause when, speaking about his support for increased education funding, he said, “The truth is, we have a better system than we deserve, and we have a better system than we pay for. I thank you for that.”
During his time on the stage, McDonnell spoke in favor of performance-based teacher raises, private school vouchers and charter schools, which the VEA opposes.
Virginia’s former attorney general also stressed the need for renewed emphasis on math, science and technology.
“I’m going to challenge every principal, as governor, to find new ways to get young people involved,” he said. “We need to make it cool to be a geek again.”
Deeds, McAuliffe and Moran each have unveiled elements of their education plans. McDonnell plans to release policy proposals in the coming months, his campaign has said.
McAuliffe drew perhaps the loudest applause of the evening when he spoke about his plan to provide college loan forgiveness and other incentives to teachers who agree to work in high-need areas.
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
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Even better
It's even better because Obama talked today about getting rid of students loans and converting it all to handouts.
More spending
is not the answer. It is time to hold the teachers accountable. I, for one, am tired of all the pandering to this group. Did you know that some members do not want to pay dues and support this agenda? They are "made" to join or be singled out. I remember when inept teachers were removed. Actual teaching was a virtue and held in high regard. This can be a very rewarding career or just a sure fire way to get a paycheck and some benefits. Folks, if you want this to change you have to stand up and say enough is enough. Unfortunately, no one wants to.
I didn't quite understand "college loan forgiveness" plan from Mr. McAuliffe. Does that mean all of us who pay taxes to support everyone else will be supporting all college students and they will never pay government backed loans back? If the answer is YES, I look forward to my granddaughter attending MIT since she is a genius. Socialism, socialism....
Because increasing financing
Because increasing financing for taxpayer-subsidized government-provided education works... it really does! Just look at the product: majority well-rounded, superbly-educated, over-qualified young adults. LOL! But hey, at least they know how to dissent and use condoms. It's high time we kill socialized education. It's not working.
I respect everybody's
I respect everybody's opinion but where any of you there to voice your opinion or do you think they read these blogs?
Money not the answer.
As usual the dems. know that they can get the DEA vote in Virginia by promising them more money........that we dont have. Seems that in a era of asking people to do more with less these clowns dont think teachers should fall into that category. Lets compare hours worked among teachers to those of Md's and Lawyers or even small business owners and see how it works out......and they dont get spring break off.
4 hours
and counting that the Pilot wont post an opinion that has no profanity, does not insult any individuals, and is not in capital letters, or does not violate any of their rules. The only transgression seems to be that the opinion expressed does not please Pravda's staff of censors.
Spend More Money!
We are already spending too much money on education… The system has been broken for YEARS! It is very difficult to blame teachers for all educational failures. Teaching begins at home. However, it doesn’t help having spineless school boards who are unwilling to make the tough call (like Norfolk…do they need uniforms or NOT!) besides school boards must break the trend of ridiculous policies such as: not expelling violent criminal students. The byproduct of a weak school board and administration is a teaching core that is the most educated in American history and the most unprofessional (take a run by a high school, at a distance you’ll have a difficult time sorting out the student from the teacher). I guess if you're treated like a kid you'll tend to act like a one. Moreover, the education profession as it is stifles educators. Teachers are mandated to follow rigid standards (SOLs). What is needed is a system that allows teachers to be creative and innovative. However, a system like that won’t provide politicians the opportunity to spend MONEY! Schools need to purge itself of dead beats to include violent students, as well as, faculty and administrators that aren’t perfo
Oh Please!!
These are politicians if there is anything we've learned, it is that you can't believe anything they say!! Just gotta wait to see what they or their governing body (not the taxpayers), peers, pet interests, etc. TELL them to do!
Come on to local radio and take calls
I plan to call in and rip into any of these candidates for spending more when the state budget is already contracting. If they are going to spend more on education, WHERE, specifically will it go in education? School buildings? More teachers? That means something else in the budget MUST be cut. And what is that? Roads? State Gov Jobs? I'm tired of the special interest kiss-up routine done by these politicians promising more with less and delivering nothing but hot air, and I look forward to the local radio call in shows to call em' out on the lies and deceit.
Education will NEVER be imrproved
if they don't get back to teaching the basics, instead of all this 'feel good' garbage. The kids in high school do NOT know how to do basic math computations (percents, division, even addition).....it's ridiculous. But they pass them and send them on their way in the world for everyone else to take care of. Get rid of the feel good garbage, have them actually read their assignments AT HOME and be prepared to discuss in class, instead of reading everything to them IN class. This is where they get the idea that everything should be 'given' to them. But all this isn't the teachers' fault.....the administrations are to blame.....get back to teaching basics......and maybe the kids will come out prepared to do something besides collect welfare.