Meet the Candidates: 2014 Arkansas Gubernatorial Race Sarah C

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville ScholarWorks@UARK

Policy Briefs Office for Education Policy

4-9-2014 Meet the Candidates: 2014 Arkansas Gubernatorial Race Sarah C. McKenzie University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Gary W. Ritter University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/oepbrief Part of the Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, Education Law Commons, and the Education Policy Commons

Recommended Citation McKenzie, Sarah C. and Ritter, Gary W., "Meet the Candidates: 2014 Arkansas Gubernatorial Race" (2014). Policy Briefs. 38. http://scholarworks.uark.edu/oepbrief/38

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Vol. 11 Issue 2 Office for Education Policy April 2014

This Brief

Meet the Candidates: Introduction P.1 Quotes From the Candidates Arkansas Governor’s Race Interviews with the Candidates P.2 “We need to return to giving Conclusion P.4 more opportunity for stu- Earlier this spring, we at the OEP dents to select a career path were fortunate to sit down with three to present a long-form interview that may not include a bac- of the candidates vying to become the with each candidate answering calaureate.” next Governor of Arkansas. The candi- questions on individuals from dif- ~Curtis Coleman, Republican ferent sides of the political aisle, devel- dates were generous enough to give us their time and allow us to post the full oped a uniform set education policy in “By 2025, I want every 4- interviews on YouTube. If you prefer the state of Arkansas. A panel from year-old in Arkansas to have an abridged version, this policy brief our office, representing individuals access to Pre-K…Other summarizes the candidates’ views on a from different sides of the political states, led by Democrat and range of important education policy aisle, developed a uniform set of ques- Republican administrations, issues. We hope that these interviews tions for the series, spanning the edu- have made great strides in will be informative for your vote on cation spectrum from pre-kindergarten these areas…If we want our May 20th in the party primaries. (Pre-K) to higher education. Although young people to grow up and not comprehensive, we hope that these be successful and competi- Introduction questions are able to inform voters on tive with other states and how these individuals would lead the other countries for jobs, we Every four years, Arkansans step into education system of our state. have to do a better job with the voter’s booth and cast their ballot Pre-K.” for who should be the chief executive Interview Format ~Mike Ross, Democrat of the state for the next four years. In our interviews, we asked the candi-

“Education is about commu- That time is quickly approaching dates nine questions about their views nities, voluntary organiza- again, as primaries for different party on relevant education policy issues. tions, and the whole state nominations take place on May 20, Due to time constraints, not all of the working together…My pas- 2014, and the general election will oc- candidates were able to answer every sion is job creation in this cur on November 4, 2014. The posi- question; in this policy brief, we report state, and we want to have tion of Governor of Arkansas can have each question exactly as it was asked the skilled workforce and a sizable impact on the direction of to the candidates, and then have select- college graduates that make sure we can build a strong education in Arkansas, especially since ed a quote from the full response of economy in Arkansas.” the governor appoints the Arkansas each candidate in its best form. We ~Asa Hutchinson, Republican Commissioner of Education, who leads hope that this side-by-side presentation the Arkansas Department of Educa- will help readers compare the policy tion, and State Board of Education positions of each candidate. The can- members. didates’ responses are presented alpha- betically by their last name, with the It follows that the views of the respec- following abbreviations used: Curtis tive candidates should be known for all potential voters to access and under- Coleman as “CC”; Asa Hutchinson as stand. For this reason, we have chosen “AH”; Mike Ross as “MR.”

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CC: “We are not letting our teachers THE CANDIDATES Interviews with the Candidates teach. They are spending 40% of The candidates responded to questions their day filling out paper work, and Curtis Coleman, Republican related to Pre-K, college access, educa- they are frustrated by that because it is not what they signed up to do… www.curtiscoleman.com tion and the economy, and a few others in between. They feel called to teach – it’s a mis- YouTube interview sion for them – but they don’t feel Pre-K Expansion like they are getting a chance to teach.” As of late, there has been a push to provide Pre-K education for all students. AH: “While teachers are motivated Does this policy goal, or a form of it, fit appropriately, we do need to reward into your agenda, and if so, where them. We need to, one, pay our would the funding come from? teachers a good salary, and secondly, we need to make the classroom as CC: “I need to see some more convinc- Asa Hutchinson, Republican supportive of our teachers as possi- ing data on Pre-K education effective- ble – we give them flexibility, allow- www.asaforgovernor.com ness, and I have seen everything from ing them to use innovative ideas in YouTube interview lack of data to contradictory data…I teaching, and we try to minimize the need to see more data about the efficien- paperwork burden on them.” cy of Pre-K programs.” MR: “It is an enormous responsibil- AH: “There is a need in impoverished ity we are putting on these teachers, areas of the state for increased support and teachers really will play an im- for Pre-K education, getting that child portant role in what the future of Ar- ready to learn. We need to continue to kansas looks like…I don’t believe measure this; there is initial success and there is a greater calling to public increased learning capacity when you service than those who teach our Mike Ross, Democrat have that early access to education.” children. We need to recognize that www.mikeross.com in terms of quality and pay.” MR: “By 2025, I want every four year YouTube interview old in Arkansas to have access to Pre- K…Other states, led by Democrat and Charter Schools Republican administrations, have made great strides in these areas…If we want Arkansas has seen growth in the number of charter schools over the our young people to grow up and be successful and competitive with other states past decade – all in different config- and other countries for jobs, we have to urations and sizes. What is the role of school choice in Arkansas, and do a better job with Pre-K.” do you envision any changes for Teacher Quality this portion of our education system? Dr. Lynette Bryant, Democrat There is consensus among education www.votedocbryant.com researchers—who famously disagree CC: “We have a poverty problem in on many issues—that teacher quality is Arkansas that includes issues related

one variable that has a great impact on to education…I want to see Arkan- Joshua Drake, Green Party student learning. What can Arkansas sas give every parent the equal op- do to recruit the most talented individu- portunity and the equal liberty to www.greenpartyofarkansas.org choose to put their children in the als into the profession of teaching and then retain them? What will your ad- very best schools and get the very Frank Gilbert, Libertarian ministration do to encourage teacher best education possible.” quality? www.electfrankgilbert.com

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AH: “We will see continued opportu- folks stop listening to each other, I as the Lottery Scholarship. What nities for specialized education. It believe it stymies educational pro- can the state do to encourage col- can be in the STEM (Science, Tech- gress.” lege preparedness and college ac- nology, Engineering, and Math) arena cess? or in the Arts…They can meet the Technology in Education needs of the students in their area… CC: “We cannot afford to make high This will just simply make our tradi- The divide between education and schools simply college preparatory tional public schools better.” technology seems to narrow each schools. We are pushing some of our day, yet all Arkansas students are students out of high school because MR: “I think parents should make the not connected to the necessary infra- we are not giving them choices that best decision for their own children. structure to take advantage of these reflect their own individuality.” If we are going to have charter innovations. How can Arkansas schools, let’s make sure we have prepare her students to participate in AH: “Incentives and innovative charter schools for their original in- the new economy, and what steps thinking can help our students to tent: to innovate and share successes should be taken to connect all stu- have affordable degree programs. We with the rest of the state. To go out dents to the broadband network? need to continue to keep higher edu- and try to do things differently, and if cation at an affordable cost, and to they work, then bring those experi- CC: “Moving outside the scope of allow access to everybody that ences back to the traditional public just education, broadband access to desires to go to college.” schools.” all of Arkansas’ rural communities is absolutely essential to a vital Arkan- MR: “I will strive to fully fund the Education Leadership sas economy and especially for the Governor’s Distinguished Scholar- opportunity for our students to be- ship, to get the best and brightest stu- Part of the job description for the come entrepreneurs and build our dents to remain in Arkansas, through next Arkansas Governor is appoint- economy.” college and beyond. We need to in- ing leaders over the Arkansas educa- crease awareness of our two year col- tion infrastructure. What are the AH: “Private sector providers are go- leges across the state, for students to qualities that you would look for in ing to provide the backbone for our be college and career ready.” appointing an Education Commis- high-speed networks…it’s a shared sioner or a State Education Board responsibility between the state and How do we compare? member? the local school districts. Again, I hope the private sector can provide How well are Arkansas schools per- CC: Mr. Coleman did not get to this an extra lift, particularly with those forming today compared to schools question in the limited time frame. areas of the state that are across the nation? Where have we struggling with matching funds.” shown improvement and what areas AH: “For the Commissioner, there are need greater attention? How do we two criteria. One, they can effectively MR: “I look forward to working with keep students from needing remedi- lead the education department – mak- Democrats and Republicans in a bi- ation at the next education level? ing sure they can run their staff effi- partisan way to ensure that every stu- ciently, using tax payer dollars wise- dent and every school in Arkansas is CC: “I think one of the things we ly. And second, their philosophy – adequately connected. Just like we need to be careful about is that we they understand competition amongst used to talk about ports, rivers, inter- don’t create so many programs and our schools, high standards in educa- state highways, and airports, a critical standards with which public school tion, and transparency for parents to part of our infrastructure today is en- teachers and administrators have to understand how schools are perform- suring that every child in this state comply that they are overwhelmed. ing. has access to broadband.” In the process, the most fundamental skills, such as reading, math, science, and basic cognitive skills are wiped MR: “My appointments to the Educa- College Access tion Board will not be political. They out or minimized.” will be based on who is most quali- Over the past several years, we have fied and who is willing to serve. We seen the gradual lowering of tuition AH: “It is the responsibility of the do not need need ideologues; we need awards from the Arkansas Academic legislature to fund our [schools] and pragmatic problem-solvers. When Challenge Scholarship, also known the private sector to support

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education in our state. In terms of re- Education and the Economy mediation…first, we need to have a strong plan for students to get to grade We know that our education system serves as level. Second, we need to hold our the foundation for Arkansas’ future, so it is schools accountable in terms of their not a reach to say that our K-12 system and performance…There should be finan- higher education are closely connected to all For more information cial rewards for those that reduce reme- Arkansas policy. In closing, are there any oth- about this policy diation.” er parts of your political platform that you feel connect to providing the best education to Ar- brief and MR: “Too many students don’t finish kansas students? other education college. College remediation still costs issues in Arkansas, the state about $43 million per year. contact us: There is a lot of room to grow and im- CC: “We have a critical skill labor shortage in prove, and we have to do a better job at Arkansas…I am really concerned that we … Office for Education Policy getting our young people college and should not press every student into a four year 211 Grad Ed Building career ready.” college degree, while at the same time we have a block on our revitalization of Arkansas’ econ- Fayetteville, AR 72701 omy because we are not producing an Phone: (479) 575 - 37 7 3 Future Reforms adequate number of skilled craftsmen and Fax: (479) 575 -3 19 6 While we have tried to hit on some of tradesmen.” [email protected] the big issues that we have seen around the state, are there any other AH: “Education is about communities, voluntary organizations, and the whole state working Visit Us Online: reform ideas that you think should be explored, studied, or moved toward together…My passion is job creation in this officeforeducationpolicy.org implementation during your admin- state, and we want to have the skilled workforce and college graduates that make sure we can officeforedpolicy.com istration? build a strong economy in Arkansas.” CC: “We need to return to giving more OEPEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: opportunity for students to select a ca- MR: “My vision is pretty simple: I want every GaryDIRECTOR W. Ritter.: PhD reer path that may not include a bacca- child in the state to grow up knowing and to Gary W. Ritter, PhD laureate.” have faith that if they do their very best in RESEARCH school, if they work hard, if they play by the FACULTY: ASSISTANTS: rules, they can grow up to achieve their God- Reed Greenwood, EdD AH: “Not everyone will choose to go to Caleb P. Rose college – we need to have a quality ed- given potential. They should not have to leave MichaelMANAGING L. Crouch ucation for every student, including the Arkansas to do so.”

DATADIRECTOR: MANAGER core skills. But we have to recognize Jennifer W. Ash that some will choose to be in the Conclusion Charlene A. Reid skilled workforce, not requiring a four GRADUATERESEARCH year degree, but something more than We hope that this interview series has been informative and helps in the decision making pro- FELLOWS:ASSOCIATES: high school…We want to make sure Sarah M. Burks our money going toward career educa- cess for all who will be voting in the primaries Jennifer W. Ash Michael L. Crouch tion is used effectively.” soon. It is our hope that this long-form inter- Sarah M. Burks view can provide context to the views of these Vera E. DeBerg candidates. We also encourage all to follow-up Prairey Walkling MR: “I would like to see more innova- tion in the classroom. This will be es- with these candidates by reading more about RESEARCH sential moving forward. We need to their policy positions on their websites. ASSISTANT: empower teachers, principals, adminis- Charlene A. Reid trators, and parents to be able to inno- To read a summary of the interviews and watch the interviews in their entirety, visit our blog vate more and to try new ways of post: Meet the Candidates: Governor Candi- teaching.” dates on Education Policy.