Chris Dodd on science education

Chris Dodd for President : * Quality, Experienced Teachers In Every School: The Dodd plan will double the number of nationally board certified teachers and incentivize them to go where they are needed most - low performing, high poverty schools. By paying for the cost of national board certification for any teacher who commits to teach in a high need school for five years and providing them with a salary supplement of $10,000 a year, the Dodd plan will ensure that every school has experienced teachers.

* World-Class Standards: Currently, there are 50 different sets of academic standards in America. As a result of varied standards, America’s highly mobile student-aged population moves through the nation’s schools gaining widely varying levels of knowledge, skills and preparedness. And yet, in order for the United States to compete in a global economy, we must compete as one nation. World-class K-12 American education standards in math, science and language arts are a first step in maintaining America’s economic edge. The Dodd plan would fund the creation of a set of model K-12 American education standards to be adopted voluntarily by states in exchange for additional resources and increased flexibility under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). It is time American students reclaim their position as world leaders in academic excellence.

* Extended Learning: The Dodd plan provides additional dollars to schools that wish to lengthen their school day to extend student learning opportunities. Extended learning will allow schools to spend more time on core academics, and provide additional time to provide a fuller curriculum and enrichment activities in areas such as the arts, technology and service learning. Through a competitive grant program, the Dodd plan will match local or state funds dollar for dollar up to $1300. Participating schools will be required to extend the school day by 30% as a means to add increased core academic instruction, more individualized instruction, enrichment programming for all students especially those at risk, and more planning and professional development time for teachers. Extended time will provide additional opportunities for student learning and benefit working parents.

* Modernizing Schools, Reducing Class Size: To produce high performing students, we need safe and cutting-edge schools. By making $25 billion available for the construction of new schools and the modernization of existing schools, the Dodd plan will ensure that every child goes to school in a state-of-the-art learning environment. The federal government will provide tax credits to bond holders in lieu of interest payments, and the state or school district will only be responsible for paying the principal. Priority will be given to districts that have a greater number or percentage of low-income children, have an immediate need to address safety concerns, are working to reduce class size, or demonstrate a commitment to green technologies.

* Virtual Learning: The Dodd Plan offers all public schools a chance to supplement their current course load with advanced or specialized courses online. A Virtual Learning Innovation Fund will grant funds to school districts, states, nonprofits and universities to create and make these courses available. Virtual courses will offer all students, regardless of geographic location, a chance to connect with highly qualified teachers and supplemental course materials while providing a more personalized learning experience. The fund will also set aside dollars for research into how students learn using new technologies via the internet.