Jul 23, 2007

Mitt Romney's Education Policy


Press Releases, Quotes, Speeches, and Videos from Mitt Romney about Education organized by year

 

 

Education

  1. Brian Lamb
    1. In you history, it includes Stanford for how long?
    2. You finished first in your class at Brigham Young University in Utah?
    3. Why did you go to Brigham Young ?
    4. How did you -- how were able to get an MBA and a law degree at the same time ?
    5. And clearly it would be why you did well and, as you know, you finished well enough to give the valedictory address -- the question I want to ask you though is why do you think you did well? Other than having a lot of brainpower, did you have an approach to education?

 

Governor Mitt Romney and Education

 

  • "The least of learning is done in the classrooms."
    • Thomas Merton

 

  • "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."
    • Mark Twain

 

  • "My education was dismal. I went to a series of schools for mentally disturbed teachers."
    • Woody Allen

Major Speeches

 

 

 

Educational Advancement

 

One of Governor Romney's top priorities is reforming the education system so that young people can compete for good paying jobs in the global economy of the future. In 2004, Governor Romney established the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Program to reward the top 25 percent of Massachusetts high school students with a four-year, tuition-free scholarship to any Massachusetts public university or college. He also championed a package of education reforms, including merit pay, an emphasis on math and science instruction, important new intervention programs for failing schools and English immersion for foreign-speaking students.

 

Major Press Releases

 

 

2006 Governor Mitt Romney Education Press Releases

 

 

2005 Governor Mitt Romney Education Press Releases

 

 

2004 Governor Mitt Romney Education Pree Releases

 

  • 01-15-2004, Romney focuses on education in 2004 state of the state
  • 01-16-2004, Romney targets lowest performing districts
  • 01-20-2004, Romney opens door to college for top scoring students
  • 02-20-2004, Romney applauds students for early MCAS preparation
  • 02-25-2004, Romney endorses findings of Grogan task force on education
  • 05-05-2004, Romney vows charter school moratorium veto
  • 06-15-2004, Board of higher ED overwhelmingly okays Adams scholarship
  • 07-28-2004, Romney, as part of ED agenda, signs school building reforms
  • 10-05-2004, Healey recognizes 2004 commonwealth compass schools
  • 10-19-2004, Board of higher ED gives green light to Adams scholarship
  • 12-10-2004, 13,000 Massachusetts students win free college tuition

 

2003 Governor Mitt Romney Education Pree Releases

 

 

2006 Governor Mitt Romney Education Quotes

 

  • "At some point, I think America -- and, importantly, the minority communities -- are going to say, 'it's time to split with our friends, the unions and the Democratic Party, and put our kids first here.' Unequal educational opportunity is the civil rights issue of our time."

 

  • "The world is growing more competitive every day, and it's no secret that skills, education and knowledge will be crucial to success in the workforce of the 21st century," said Romney. "Unless our kids are fully prepared to meet the challenges that lie ahead, Massachusetts will fall behind in the competition for the best jobs."

 

  • "The men and women of the Massachusetts National Guard perform admirable service for our Commonwealth and for our nation," said Romney. "By making a public college education entirely free for Guard members, we recognize their tremendous dedication and sacrifice."

 

2005 Governor Mitt Romney Education Quotes

 

  • "We cannot continue to have an excellence gap with the rest of the world and intend to remain the economic superpower and military superpower of the planet. That's just not going to happen. We're in a position where unless we take action, we'll end up being the France of the 21st century: a lot of talk, but not a lot of strength behind it in terms of economic capability."

 

 

  • "It's going to take teachers, superintendents and parents talking to their legislators saying yes, we want more money of course ... but we also want changes in the way our schools are managed. We want our principals to have the ability to manage their schools."

 

 

  • "I am grateful to each of these individuals for volunteering their time and expertise to helping my Administration successfully integrate all of our early education services under one roof," Romney said. "Not only will this new agency ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent more wisely and efficiently, it will also improve the care we provide to our youngest citizens and their families."

 

  • "This is a great day for education reform. Massachusetts is nationally recognized for its leadership on education reform, and we need to continue down the same path if we're going to help our kids maximize their potential."

 

  • "This is a huge shot in the arm for our public colleges and universities. By targeting these resources to construct new facilities and upgrade existing ones, we can put our higher education system in a position to deliver the first class facilities that our students deserve."

 

  • "I applaud the students, teachers and staff of these excellent schools for the hard work and creativity they have demonstrated as we continue making progress toward higher achievement for all students in Massachusetts," Romney said.

 

  • "If we're serious about keeping our kids at the forefront of a highly challenging and competitive world economy, then we have to take the necessary steps to energize our education system," said Romney.

 

  • "We're making progress, there's no doubt about it, but we have more work to do. These test scores reflect the hard work and creativity of our students, teachers and schools, but they also reveal that some are still struggling. It is increasingly critical that we advance bold reforms to ensure greater accountability and performance in every classroom."

 

  • "teachers like Jasmine Lellock and Thabiti Brown are critical to the success of our education initiatives and are doing an outstanding job preparing our children for future success in the classroom and the world," Romney said. "Teaching professionals are the backbone of our educational system and the best should be recognized and rewarded."

 

  • "Our Presidential Award nominees set a great example, not only for educators in Massachusetts, but for the nation," Romney said. "Distinguished math and science teachers like these are the critical components of a public education system that will prepare us for the next century, and they deserve to be recognized for their hard work, creativity and dedication."

 

  • "Paying for college is one of the largest financial challenges facing Massachusetts families," said Romney. "For the second year in a row, I'm pleased to reward some of our most promising and hardworking students. When it comes to figuring out how much it will cost to send a son or daughter to college, the Adams scholarship will help ease some of that burden."

 

2004 Governor Mitt Romney and Education Quotes

 

  • "Massachusetts has some of the best schools and teachers in the nation," Romney said, speaking tonight from the historic House Chamber at the State House. " Education reform, adopted a decade ago, raised standards and closed funding gaps. But it was the first step, not the last."

 

  • "We're horribly backlogged in renovating and rebuilding old and dilapidated schools," Romney said. "I will propose a series of construction reforms and a refinancing program that will jumpstart over 100 new and remodeled school projects."

 

  • "Legacy of Learning puts people first, kids first. We'll be putting our money where our future is," Romney said.

 

  • "There are critical investments we can and should make in our children," Romney said. "But those investments will only be made possible if we continue down the road to reform. I hope you will join with me in working for change."

 

  • "Families all across the Commonwealth are struggling to pay to send their children to college," Romney said. "The new Adams scholarship will make the dream of obtaining a college education a reality for thousands of Bay State students and keep our most talented students right here in Massachusetts."

 

  • "We can praise the virtues of parental involvement all day, but until we actually get parents to follow through we are simply singing to an empty music hall. Voluntary programs will not get the job done. It is essential that mandatory training be put in place. This will not be a strain on parent who are already hard-pressed, as some have suggested. This is mandatory counseling they are already receiving. We are simply updating it with information they will need to make their child's education a success."

 

  • "I am committed to unlocking the potential of every child, no matter which school they attend," Romney said. "Our children cannot wait for slow, methodic changes. They need our help now and this report will serve as a blueprint for immediate reform."

 

  • "Let there be no doubt, I will veto any charter school moratorium that reaches my desk," said Romney, appearing at Roxbury Preparatory Charter School with parents of children affected by the proposed moratorium.

 

  • "Families all across the Commonwealth are struggling to afford to send their children to college," Romney said, during a rare appearance before a meeting of the Board of Higher Education. "The new Adams scholarship will make the dream of obtaining a college education a reality for thousands of Bay State students and keep our most talented students right here in Massachusetts."

 

  • "Massachusetts has often been at the forefront of educational reform. In the spirit of that reform, less than seven months ago, I stood in the House Chamber surrounded by members of the General Court and asked them in my State of the State address to work with me to 'take every step, to prepare every child, for an ever more competitive future,'" said Romney. He added, "The centerpiece of my Legacy of Learning initiative included an ambitious school building program. Today I am pleased to say that, working with the Legislature, we delivered on that promise."

 

Mitt Romney's education related press releases while governor of Massachusetts.

 

2003

 

  • "Seeing this groundswell of student support only boosts my belief that what we are trying to do in our higher education system is right," Romney said. "I am committed to our plan, which guarantees quality, affordability and accessibility to all of our campuses for all Massachusetts residents."

 

  • "education reform is working in Massachusetts," Romney said. "I am proud of the progress shown by our students," said Romney. "My Administration will continue to push for high standards that will restore the value of a high school diploma and better prepare our students for life after school."

 

  • "We need to get our underperforming school districts back on track. It is time for the interests of the entrenched educational bureaucracy to take a back seat to the interests of our children and teachers."

 

 


Mitt Romney's Wikipedia education Entry

In 2004, Governor Mitt Romney established the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Program to reward the top 25 percent of Massachusetts high school students with a four-year, tuition-free scholarship to Massachusetts' state university or colleges. He has also drafted other education reforms, including the recruitment of 1,000 skilled math and science instructors, bonuses of as much as $15,000 a year for top-performing teachers, and new intervention programs for failing schools.

 

Additionally, Romney began advocating for a nationwide focus on education through the recruitment of and better pay for math and science teachers, and allowing state governments to take control of underperforming schools after three instead of the six-year period that is now in place.

 

Speaking of the education provided to minority students, Romney said, "I really believe that the failure of our urban schools and, in some cases our suburban schools, to help minority students achieve the levels that are necessary for success in the workplace is the civil rights issue of our time."

 

In 1994 Romney, as a candidate for US Senate, pledged to vote to establish a means-tested school voucher program to allow students to attend the public or private school of their choice. He also supported abolishing the federal Department of education and favored keeping control of educational reform at the lowest level, closest to parents, teachers, and the community (Boston Globe review of 1994 campaign issues Mar 21, 2002)

 

In April of 2006, Romney outlined his 6-point plan for improving the country's education in an Op/Ed in the Washington Times.


 

Governor Mitt Romney and education Blogs

Blogs on education


education Essay that I like


Call for help

Please help me organize the best stuff first. I want it to be comprehensive. Lets links to all the blogs, and anything.


education Sub-Categories

  1. Abstinence education
  2. Charter Schools
  3. education Reform]
  4. Politics and Schools

Mitt Romney's Education:

 

  • Undergraduate at Stanford and Brigham Young University (Highest Honors and Valedictorian). J.D. and M.B.A. from Harvard University (Baker Scholar).

 

Romney graduated from the Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills (now Cranbrook Kingswood School). He met his future wife, Ann Davies (born in 1949), when she was at the Kingswood School.

 

After attending Stanford University for two quarters, Romney served for two and one-half years as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in France. Upon returning from his mission, he transferred universities and subsequently received his B.A. with Highest Honors and as valedictorian from Brigham Young University in 1971. In 1975, Romney was awarded an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and was named a Baker scholar. In 1975 he also received his J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School.


Exterior Links

Beliefs about Mitt Romney and Education.

  1. Mitt Romney would be the best candidate to reform education].
  2. Mitt Romney supports charter schools.
  3. Mitt Romney did better in school than any of the other candidates, Republican or Democrat.

 

 

Today's schools are falling further and further behind world standards. It is time to raise the bar on education by making teaching a true profession, measuring progress, providing a focus on math and science, and involving parents from the beginning of a child's school career.

 

 

  • "Massachusetts children cannot only lead the nation in test scores, they can be competitive with the best in the world. And the gap in achievement among races can virtually disappear."
    • Governor Mitt Romney

 

Today's schools are falling further and further behind world standards. It is time to raise the bar on education by making teaching a true profession, measuring progress, providing a focus on Math and Science, and involving Parents from the beginning of a child's school career.


Quotes from Mitt Romney on Education

  • "It's time to raise the bar on education by making teaching a true profession, measuring progress, providing a focus on math and science, and involving parents from the beginning of a child's school career."
    • Governor Mitt Romney

 

 

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Questions for Governor Mitt Romney

 

Education

  1. In you history, it includes Stanford for how long?
  2. You finished first in your class at Brigham Young University in Utah ?
  3. Why did you go to Brigham Young?
  4. How did you -- how were able to get an MBA and a law degree at the same time?
  5. And clearly it would be why you did well and, as you know, you finished well enough to give the valedictory address -- the question I want to ask you though is why do you think you did well? Other than having a lot of brainpower, did you have an approach to education?

 

 

School Choice

 

Gov. Romney On His Education Record

Governor Mitt Romney "Police" Quotes

Governor Mitt Romney "Police" press releases

  • "Major Robbins's 24 years of State Police experience combined with his focus on homeland security at Logan Airport make him the ideal choice to lead Massachusetts' chief law enforcement agency. Of all the candidates, no one had more experience on the homeland security front lines than Major Robbins," Romney added.
  • "At a time when homeland security is our number one public safety priority, Colonel Robbins has the extensive experience and vision to make the Massachusetts State Police a national model for both crime fighting and terror prevention."
  • "Whether it's 4 A.M. on Christmas Eve or 4 P.M. on a Saturday in August when they'd rather be taking their families to the beach, our State Police force is on duty every hour of every day, dedicated to keeping the public safe. These initiatives reflect the importance of their jobs and the value of their service to the Commonwealth."
  • "Mark Delaney's exemplary performance and leadership over 32 years of service in the State Police make him the ideal candidate to command the state's largest law enforcement agency."
  • "Mark Delaney is a respected leader both within and outside of the State Police. The priority he places on excellence and achievement will help the State Police maintain their status as one of the finest law enforcement organizations in the nation."

"The defense of our homeland continues to be a focus of law enforcement everywhere, and state troopers are on the front lines of this battle. I have been proud to support the Massachusetts State Police as it adapts and adds strength to counter evolving threats that could jeopardize the peace and safety of our lives."

Also see:

  1. Crime
  2. Law

Romney Flexes Muscles In Dems Direction

Mitt Romney, in a sign that he is comfortable as the early-state frontrunner, aims to up his national profile by aggressively bracketing the Democratic presidential candidates over the next few weeks, aides said this weekend.

The campaign hopes the regular reproaches will be seen as signs of confidence and strength and will help to reduce the friction that prevents Romney from being seen as the leader of the Republican pack. His national poll ratings regularly lag those of his better-known rivals.

Aside from the benefit to his own candidacy, Romney's aides are worried that Republicans generally aren't doing enough to soften up the Democrats most likely to be their party's nominee.

On the trail, Romney will spend a little more time analyzing "The Romney vision versus the Democrat vision," according to one aide. He will compare his proposals -- metaphorically, a three-legged stool of strong families, strong national defense and a strong economies, to what he'll call a comparatively shaky and liberal grounding of the Democrats' proposals, the aide said.

Romney regularly compares Hillary Clinton's economic philosophy to Karl Marx's. This weekend, he said America wasn't read to take a "left turn" and "follow Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Obama." He continued: "Their solutions are Big Brother, big taxes, and big government, and that is not the right answer for America."

In recent days, Romney has begun to elaborate. He called Clinton's "course" one where "government manages your life." The Republican course, he said, is "let the individual and personal responsibility lead and guide."

In a more personal poke, Romney said Clinton "wouldn't be elected president of France today, never mind the United States." [French bashing is still cool, apparently, even though the voters there just elected a (sort of) conservative and Romney has spent more time in the country than all of the Democrats combined.]

On health care, Romney will try to damn Barack Obama with faint praise, saying this weekend that "at least Barack Obama had the "courage to admit that his plan means higher taxes." He also jumped on Obama's remarks last week at a Planned Parenthood conference that it was OK to teach age-appropriate sex ed to kindergarteners, a characterization that Obama said masks the more nuanced reality of his record.

Though the media counter-attacked, pointing out that the Massachusetts sex-ed curriculum under Romney included plenty of non-conservative teachings, Romney's campaign professed to be pleased by how conservative activists responded to the controversy. They dismissed the attempts to bring attention to Romney's ideological evolution as unsound. But this weekend in New Hampshire, Romney again made the contrast, suggesting that the campaign believed the comparison was sound.

Though Romney has called for a new course in the country's approach to terrorism, he has lambasted Edwards for saying the "War on Terror" phrase is "just a bumper sticker."

Rudy Giuliani and John McCain have both picked spots to attack Democrats and have, as of late, stepped up their rhetoric.

Mitt's Fred Hits

Mitt's Fred HitsRomney takes the lead in softening up Fred Thompson.


Mitt Romney.

Mitt Romney has been increasing his assault on the Democratic front-runners recently. During a recent campaign swing, he returned to a theme found in his earliest speeches: "The Democratic candidates want to run the largest enterprise in the world—the government of the United States—and yet have never run a corner store.'' To make sure reporters get the point, Romney's campaign has sent e-mails highlighting this attack and links to local wire stories featuring it.

Republican voters usually like to hear their candidates beat up the opposition, so the broad attack helps Romney in his effort to look like the party front-runner. But according to Romney insiders, the former Massachusetts governor is not just aiming at Clinton, Obama, and Edwards. His other, perhaps more salient target, is fellow Republican Fred Thompson. Like the Democratic front-runners, Fred Thompson has also never run anything, though he has pretended to run all kinds of things in his many films. Romney is laying the groundwork against Thompson now and plans to make the charge explicitly when the actor gets into the race.

...

The Romney campaign was also thinking about Thompson when it produced its latest television ad about the depravity of modern culture...

I like how John Dickerson can read Mitt's mind...

...The ad is primarily an assault on the extended metaphor ,...

Very predictable of Mr. Dickerson... Al republican commercials are stupid, and all democratic comercials are genious... 
 
..but its purpose is to appeal to social conservative voters who think the country is on the wrong track...

So this begs the question... Is the country on the wrong track? Do we have too much violence in our culture? We don't get a debate from the left, all we get is cynisism, and self rightousness...

...(This is also why Romney has picked a fake fight with Barack Obama over sex education.)...

Watch this video and tell me it is a "fake fight". Barak's guy tries to say that this is a fake fight, but he gets slaped down... And I like how John Dickerson says that it is a "fake fight" but makes no argument to advance this belief. No. We don't get any debate, or evaluation of beliefs from the left... just attitude, sarcasm, and his conclusions. He was
 
The ad's secondary function is to show Republicans that only Romney can talk about values. Thompson can compete with Romney in opposing abortion and gay marriage, but as a former actor, he'
The ad's secondary function is to show Republicans that only Romney can talk about values. Thompson can compete with Romney in opposing abortion and gay marriage, but as a former actor, he's compromised on the subject of cleaning up sex and violence in movies and television. "Why didn't he speak out loudly about Hollywood when he was of Hollywood?" Romney may ask in a future debate.

To draw contrasts between their guy and Thompson, Romney allies are working behind the scenes, and even Thompson's wife is fair game. June Bond, a Republican from Spartanburg, introduced Ann Romney at a recent rally as her husband's starter wife and trophy wife "all in one." This called up a loaded phrase for Thompson's much younger second wife from a New York Times piece.

Romney, who has been crossing the country getting little sleep, shaking an endless string of hands and eating spongy food at fund-raisers is reportedly a little miffed that Thompson thinks he can coast into the nomination. In his public remarks though, Romney is sticking to oblique rather than direct attacks. In a recent interview with the Washington Examiner , he made a not-too-subtle allusion to Thompson's reputation for laziness. "Will he do the work it takes to become the president?" asked Romney. "To beat Hillary Clinton ... you're going to have to work like crazy." Of course, Romney hopes Thompson never has a chance to face the Democratic front-runner. And so before the actor even gets into the race, Romney is trying to create more work than he can handle.

Watch this video from John Dickerson and tell me if you thin John has an objective opinion... Please don't get your news from slate... it is like getting your news from KOS.
 


Sheriff Mike Bouchard Endorses Governor Mitt Romney For President

Sheriff Mike Bouchard Endorses Governor Mitt Romney For President

Monday, Jul 23, 2007

Boston, MA - Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced that Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard has endorsed his campaign for President of the United States. Sheriff Bouchard will serve as a Co-Chair of the Romney for President campaign in Michigan.

In announcing the support of Sheriff Bouchard, Governor Romney said, "For over twenty years, Sheriff Bouchard has faithfully served and protected the people of Michigan. Using his experience as an elected official, a sheriff, and a parent, he has worked tirelessly to protect Michigan residents by leading the charge to protect our children and keep criminals off the streets. I am proud to earn Sheriff Bouchard's support, and I look forward to working with him during the upcoming campaign."

Sheriff Bouchard will join a Romney for President Michigan team that includes Co-Chairs U.S. Representatives Dave Camp, Pete Hoekstra and Joe Knollenberg, Michigan House Republican Leader Craig DeRoche, as well as Honorary Chairman, former Lt. Governor Dick Posthumus.

With today's announcement, Sheriff Mike Bouchard said, "As a former Governor and a devoted father, Mitt Romney understands the importance of protecting children and our families from predators and criminals. Governor Romney is not afraid to confront challenges facing our country. He recently proposed federal legislation, 'One-Strike, You're Ours,' to crack down on internet predators who seek to harm our most precious asset, our children. I am joining Governor Romney's campaign team because our nation needs a leader like Mitt Romney, a candidate who is willing to stand up and fight to defend families across this nation."

Background On Sheriff Mike Bouchard:

Sheriff Bouchard Has Been A Leader In Michigan For Over 20 Years. In 1999, Bouchard became Sheriff of one of the largest counties in the nation. He oversees 1,200 employees and manages an annual budget in excess of $119 million. Sheriff Bouchard brings the combined experience of 20 years of law enforcement and 20 years as an elected official to the position. Appointed in early 1999 to fill a sudden vacancy, he was returned to office in 2000 with the largest number of votes for any contested candidate in Oakland County. Most recently in 2004, he was re-elected to a four-year term ending in 2009. Among his many honors, Sheriff Bouchard has received the 1996 Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police award for Legislator of the Year, the 1999 Oakland County Leadership Award, and the 2000 Oakland County Domestic Violence Prevention Award. In 2006, he received the Justice for Children Centurion Award as well as the Oakland County Child Abuse and Neglect Council's Circle of Light Award.