Bob Outlines Bold Plans to Improve Education in Virginia

Press Release

At VEA Forum McDonnell Outlines Bold Plans to Improve Education in Virginia

-Performance Pay for Teachers; More Charter Schools; More Money into the Classroom; New Technology; Greater Career and Technical Opportunities; Increased Discipline, Financial Literacy and Civics-

Speaking at the Virginia Education Association's annual convention this evening, Bob McDonnell, Republican gubernatorial candidate and former Attorney General of Virginia, outlined his support for bold new ideas to improve public education in the Commonwealth. McDonnell highlighted his support for performance pay for teachers, more charter schools in Virginia, and getting education dollars out of administration and into the classroom.

Speaking prior to the event about his innovative plans for education McDonnell noted, "Virginia's teachers work tirelessly to educate Virginia's future leaders. I know this first hand. All five of my children graduated from, or currently attend, public schools in the Commonwealth. My sister teaches in the Amherst County public schools. Over the past twenty years we have significantly increased funding for K-12 education in Virginia, and our children have benefited. The Standards of Quality are fully funded. We cannot accept any unaccredited or failing schools in Virginia. We need to fund education well, while also looking for innovative and creative ways to ensure that our children are getting the very best education in the nation. A great education leads to the opportunity for a great job."

McDonnell continued, "I agree with President Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan that we need more charter schools and performance pay for our teachers. We need to introduce greater choices and greater rewards into our public education system. A vibrant system in which opportunities abound will prepare our young people for a competitive and changing world. Virginia has very few contract or charter schools. That will change when I am Governor. We have many great teachers who deserve to be rewarded for their success, not just for their time served. As Secretary Duncan wrote in The Wall Street Journal this week, ‘Teachers above all want a professional learning environment that supports them and recognizes and rewards excellence.' He is right. We also need to support our teachers with much better technology in the classroom. We must provide young people with solid discipline and training in civics and financial literacy. And every principal must be challenged to find new ways to expand opportunities for students in math, science, engineering, technology and health care."

McDonnell concluded, "The education of our children is not a partisan issue, it is a posterity issue. What future will our children have? It depends on the courage we have in instituting the innovation we need in our public education system. I will be a Governor who brings parents, teachers and students together to make sure our schools are America's best.

McDonnell will present specific education policy proposals in the months ahead.

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