The education policies Americans will vote on this Tuesday
Here’s how voters’ decisions could affect schools.
On Tuesday, Americans will go to the polls and vote for the next president of the United States. But they will also have a chance to weigh in on numerous ballot initiatives to reform public education in their states.
Massachusetts, California, Georgia, and Louisiana voters all face major decisions on education policy this week — including who gets to decide to raise tuition, whether their state should take over management of low-performing schools, and a proposal to improve access to bilingual education.
Charter school expansion
Massachusetts voters will have the opportunity to vote for or against charter school expansion in the state. The ballot measure, called Question 2, would allow as many as 12 new independent charter schools to be authorized each year or allow for greater enrollment at existing charter schools.The education policies Americans will vote on this Tuesday:
A state takeover of low-performing schools
Georgia is considering a referendum that would create an “Opportunity School District” for the state’s lowest performing schools. This district would be run by a superintendent appointed by the governor. The district would include up to 100 schools and 150 schools are eligible. These schools would have to remain under state control for at least five years.The education policies Americans will vote on this Tuesday:
More access to bilingual education
California voters will have the opportunity to vote on a ballot initiative, called Proposition 58, that would allow many more students to receive bilingual instruction. This measure has the chance to affect the 23 percent of public school students in the state who are English language learners.The education policies Americans will vote on this Tuesday:
University power over tuition hikes
Louisiana voters will have to decide whether they want to allow colleges and universities to make their own judgment calls on tuition hikes this week. Universities and colleges would have the authority to decide on how much to raise tuition and fees by 2019 if the measure passes.The education policies Americans will vote on this Tuesday:
How to fund education
Several states are looking into new ways to fund public education or improve funding of public education. In Missouri, Constitutional Amendment 3 would provide around $300 million each year to early education anti-smoking efforts through a cigarette tax increase. And in Maine, voters will decide whether to approve a 3 percent income tax surcharge for those making more than $200,000 in order to fund public education.The education policies Americans will vote on this Tuesday:
