EDUCATION EQUITY on the ballot

EDUCATION EQUITY on the ballot

EDUCATION EQUITY ON THE BALLOT

The Year We Are In

ON NOVEMBER 3, VOTERS NATIONWIDE will cast their ballots for local, state and federal candidates who espouse their values and ideals. A political, social, economic, and educational landscape fraught with inequities demands leaders capable of developing and implementing innovative solutions to promote equitable access to resources for our society’s most vulnerable populations. Those who are elected in 2020—a year marked by profound hardship—will have the opportunity to lead and set a path to overcome the equity challenges uncovered by this year, including providing all students equitable opportunities to learn.

A strong public education system is vital to achieving equity in our society. In the words of United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, “we are never going to reach equality in America until we achieve equality in education.” The events of this year have underscored the truth of these words. As schools throughout the South and the rest of the nation shuttered in March due to COVID-19, a vast digital divide between wealthy and low-income and students became apparent. Millions of students in the South struggled to access and utilize online learning platforms. Millions lost access to critical services provided by their schools, such as nutritious meals, health care, and mental health support. In the spring, educators struggled to adapt to an exclusively online teaching environment and, as the fall approached, took issue with hasty school reopening plans in some of the southern states most heavily affected by COVID-19. While many school districts adapted and developed short- and long- term distance learning protocols, state budget shortfalls and limited federal relief funds prevented a more robust response to the growing crisis in education. Federal and state leaders, from the President of the United States to members of state boards of education, continue to play an important role in the authorization, distribution and allocation of emergency COVID-19 relief funds for public schools in the South. Now, voters have the opportunity to ensure that these funds are directed and spent in ways that support student populations that historically have been underserved.

404.523.0001 Follow SEF @SouthernEdFound [email protected] SouthernEducation.org 1 Education on the Ballot the three. Despite pre-pandemic budgets that included salary increases for educators, all but two southern states and all but one Election 2020 Education is on the state—Delaware—pay their teachers less than the ballot in federal and national average. West Virginia, one of the states statewide races included in Election 2020, has the second-lowest throughout the South in average teacher salary in the nation. It is evident 2020. In addition to their that there is significant room for improvement in influence over emergency relief funds for public education, and the 2020 election offers voters the education, elected officials at all levels—from local chance to elect candidates who will make some of and state school boards, state legislatures, and these improvements. state executive offices to the federal legislative and executive branches— wield varying levels of influence and power on critical items such as The Races We Are Focused on education budgets, school funding, curriculum and Each office up for election this year in the South instruction, teacher and administrator recruitment and around the country will have an important and retention, and regulatory and accountability impact on education policy. This guide includes measures. They also have the authority to appoint races for governor, state education chief, and/or individuals to key positions who will set policy and state board of education in the following states: procedures at all levels of government. Education Alabama, Delaware, Missouri, North Carolina, policy decisions are particularly important, as they Texas and West Virginia. Given the important often have the most serious financial implications, role of the federal government in allocating furthest reach and greatest potential to make a education funding to states and supporting the difference in students’ lives. needs of vulnerable student populations through programs such as Title I and the Individuals with In fiscal year (FY) 2019, southern states dedicated Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), SEF is also almost 20 percent of their total state budget presenting the education policy records, stances to public K-12 education expenses. Despite and proposals of the Democratic and Republican being one of the most prominent line items in presidential tickets. In total, SEF’s Election 2020: southern states’ budgets, education continues Education Equity on the Ballot project involved to be underfunded compared to the rest of the a thorough review of 40 candidates for public United States. Census data show that the South’s office—36 for state-level leadership positions and average per-pupil expenditure of $10,285 is the four for the two highest offices in the nation. We lowest in the nation and over $2,000 lower than developed and sent a candidate questionnaire the national average. Alabama, North Carolina and to all 36 state-level candidates and, using the Texas —three of the six states1 included in Election responses we received and widely-publicized 2020—all spend less per-pupil than the southern statements and information from each average, with Alabama spending the most candidate, compiled comprehensive profiles on and North Carolina spending the least among the following candidates for elected office:

1 Alabama, Delaware, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas and West Virginia

404.523.0001 Follow SEF @SouthernEdFound [email protected] SouthernEducation.org 2 OFFICE STATES CANDIDATES

Governor Delaware, Of the 11 states holding gubernatorial elections this year, Missouri, North four of them are in the South. All of those candidates Carolina and are included in Election 2020, and an incumbent up for West Virginia reelection in all four states. In Delaware, Governor John Carney is facing a challenge from Republican political newcomer Julianne Murray. In Missouri, Governor Mike Parson is facing a challenge from State Auditor Nicole Galloway, while in North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper’s second-in-command, Lieutenant Governor Dan Forest, is challenging him. In West Virginia, Governor Jim Justice is facing off against Kanawha County Commissioner Ben Salango.

As the chief executive of a state, the governor has the au- thority to write and approve education budgets, pen exec- utive orders related to education, and set the agenda with regard to the education-related issues the state’s agencies and general assembly should focus on.

State North Carolina This is the only southern state this year with concurrent Superintendent gubernatorial and state superintendent of education elections. As the top education official in the state, the North Carolina State Superintendent of Public Instruction manages the state’s Department of Public Instruction and works closely with the governor and the general assembly to determine and execute education policy in the state. Incumbent Superintendent Mark Johnson is not running for reelection, setting up a race between Democratic candidate Jen Mangrum and Republican candidate Catherine Truitt.

State Board Of Alabama and SEF’s Election 2020 project includes profiles for candidates Education Texas in all four State Board of Education races in Alabama– Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7. Incumbent board members are running for reelection in Districts 1 and 3, while the nominee in the District 7 race is running unopposed. This project also includes profiles for candidates in all eight State Board of Education races in Texas – Districts 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 14, and 15. Incumbent board members are running for reelection in Districts 1, 9, 10 and 14.

As members of the top school boards in Alabama and Texas, these elected officials vote on matters related to curriculum and instructional development, teacher recruitment and retention, education funding and assessments and accountability.

404.523.0001 Follow SEF @SouthernEdFound [email protected] SouthernEducation.org 3 Setting the Agenda

If elected, the candidates for the above positions will have the opportunity to drive education policy and help set the priorities of their respective state’s general assemblies. Therefore, it is important to ensure that candidates’ positions are rooted in equity for students of color and low-income students, a desire to advance and improve public education and a plan to build a strong, diverse teacher workforce that will foster safe and nurturing school environments. As we designed our candidate survey and profiles forElection 2020, we selected issues that are consistent with our Public Policy Priorities, resonant with the political and cultural moment our nation is in and indicative of what it will take to expand opportunities and improve achievement for students of color and low-income students in Alabama, Delaware, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas and West Virginia. The issue areas we selected and an explanation of each are below.

ISSUE WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

COVID-19 Response and School closures in the spring and fall caused a rapid, unplanned Plan for Distance Learning and widespread shift to distance learning. Most school districts lacked the technology and staff infrastructure to equitably transition to distance learning; yet, they created and executed their plans, often with little external support. In light of the ongoing pandemic, candidates for public office at the state and federal levels should have a plan for addressing the educational ramifications of COVID-19 and the distance learning needs of students.

Culturally-Relevant and Students perform better when they see themselves reflected in Anti-Racist Curriculum their school, their teachers and their studies. Curriculum that is and Pedagogy representative of a diverse student population and teaching practices that affirm students’ varied identities and experiences can create a more inclusive learning environment for students.

Early Childhood Education Investing in comprehensive, birth-to-five early childhood education in- creases student achievement and saves taxpayer dollars by minimiz- ing government costs to adults who receive quality early educational experiences.

Elections for State Holding elections for state boards of education and state Superintendent of superintendents of education concurrently with more prominent Education and State national elections, especially during quadrennial presidential Board of Education elections, encourages higher voter turnout and elevates the importance of education as a public policy issue.

404.523.0001 Follow SEF @SouthernEdFound [email protected] SouthernEducation.org 4 ISSUE WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

Equitable K-12 Funding Research proves that investments in public education matter, espe- cially for students of color and low-income students. The changing and growing needs of students and districts today require additional targeted investments to decrease the gap in access to resources and opportunities for academic success. A key priority of all candidates for elected office should be to develop education funding formulas that account for the needs of students of color and low-income students.

Private School Choice Private school choice is the practice of using public, taxpayer dollars or dollar-for-dollar tax credits to fund student scholarships for private schools and private educational services. Most research findings show no material difference in learning outcomes for students who receive school vouchers or publicly-funded scholarships to attend pri- vate schools. In addition to diverting resources from public schools, all private schools—those that receive taxpayer dollars and those that do not—follow different accountability, reporting, regulatory and admissions standards than public schools.

School Disciplinary Students of color, particularly Black students, are referred to adminis- Policies tration, suspended and expelled at higher rates than their white peers for similar infractions. Additionally, Alabama, Missouri, North Carolina and Texas still allow corporal punishment, or physical discipline, for students in public schools. Reversing disproportionate discipline for students of color and ending corporal punishment will make schools safer places to learn.

School District Governance Allowing local school districts to maintain control of their operations will ensure that communities are not politically disenfranchised and are given a voice in the direction of their schools. While regulatory oversight from the federal and state departments of education is nec- essary, local school board members are most intimately aware of and attuned to the needs of their constituents and community.

School Resource and School resource officers and school police, when untrained or Police Officers deployed for minor offenses, can contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline and the incarceration of youth. The presence of police offi- cers within schools has particularly negative consequences for Black students, with federal data showing that Black students are dispro- portionately referred to law enforcement for school-based offenses.

404.523.0001 Follow SEF @SouthernEdFound [email protected] SouthernEducation.org 5 ISSUE WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

Teacher Recruitment Research indicates that teachers, particularly teachers of color, have and Retention a positive impact on student success and academic performance. Public schools perform better when states invest in educators. Successful teacher recruitment efforts will involve the dedication of funding toward scholarship and loan forgiveness programs, leverag- ing community partnerships to enable teachers to teach in the com- munities they grew up in, and creating partnerships with institutions of higher education. Successful teacher retention efforts will involve ongoing professional development, adequate compensation, and ample opportunities for growth and leadership.

Usage of Governor’s As a part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Emergency Education (CARES) Act federal relief package, governors of all 50 states re- Relief (Geer) Funds and ceived a flexible pot of federal dollars to support K-12 schools and Other Federal COVID-19 institutions of higher education impacted by COVID-19. Governors Relief Funds and state departments of education also received other allocations of funding for education through the CARES Act. While many governors have allocated their GEER funds toward supporting public education, others have bucked congressional intent and used part of their funds to support private school choice programs. GEER funds and all other federal relief funds were passed with the expectations that public assistance would support public schools and their most impacted students.

Virtual and For-Profit Research on virtual and for-profit operated charter schools con- Charter Schools sistently shows poor student outcomes. Virtual school and dis- tance-learning students perform significantly worse than their counterparts in other types of charter and district public schools. These types of schools also skirt accountability measures and are often poorly managed, and the continued use of public funds to sup- port them may drain valuable resources from equitable, public, and high-performing charter schools.

Wraparound Services Wraparound services such as health care, nutrition and social and emotional support are critical to ensuring that students’ needs outside of school are addressed. A concerted effort to focus on the “whole child” will allow students to thrive both within and beyond the classroom.

404.523.0001 Follow SEF @SouthernEdFound [email protected] SouthernEducation.org 6 Next Steps

This guide is designed to provide you, the voter, with objective, factual information about the education platforms of candidates in major statewide races throughout the South. We hope you find our candidate guide useful as you determine the issues that matter to you and cast your vote this fall. Before you request your absentee ballot or go to the polls, we encourage you to check your voter registration status and the deadlines associated with absentee voting in your state.

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CHECK YOUR VOTER REGISTER CHECK ABSENTEE REGISTRATION STATUS TO VOTE BALLOT DEADLINES HERE HERE HERE

If you have any questions or concerns about any of the information in this guide, please reach out to SEF’s Legislative and Research Analyst, Sujith Cherukumilli, at [email protected].

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EDUCATION EQUITY on the ballot

EDUCATION EQUITY ON THE BALLOT

Presidential Candidate Comparison

DONALD TRUMP (R) - INCUMBENT JOE BIDEN (D) - FORMER VICE PRESIDENT

Donald J. Trump is the 45th President of the United Joseph R. “Joe” Biden, Jr. is the Democratic nom- States. Prior to being elected to this position in inee for President of the United States in the 2020 2016, President Trump was a businessman and election. Prior to his nomination, Biden served as founder of The Trump Organization, author of the 47th Vice President of the United States from fourteen bestselling novels, and a reality television 2009 to 2017 under President Barack Obama. Vice star. President Trump received his undergraduate President Biden also served as a United States Sen- degree from The Wharton School at the University ator from Delaware for 36 years, from 1973 to 2009. of Pennsylvania. Vice President Biden received his undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware, and his law degree from Syracuse University.

404.523.0001 Follow SEF @SouthernEdFound [email protected] SouthernEducation.org 8 ELECTION 2020 Presidential Candidate Comparison

DONALD TRUMP (R) - INCUMBENT JOE BIDEN (D) - FORMER VICE PRESIDENT

Main K-12 Education Priorities Main K-12 Education Priorities

In his first term, President Trump: If elected President of the United States, Vice Presi- dent Biden plans to: • Proposed budgets that made private school choice a priority, such as a request for $1B in • Support educators by paying them commensu- funding for the Furthering Options of Children rate with their experience and skills; to Unlock Success Grants for public school choice, and $250M to promote school privat- • Invest more resources in children from birth, ization through the Education Innovation and and in schools to ensure that zip code, race, Research Program. In his FY2019 and FY2020 ability status and income are no longer predic- budgets, President Trump proposed a $5B tax tors of student success; and credit scholarship for private schools; • Ensure that middle and high school students have a clear path to a successful career • Expanded flexibility under the Every Student Succeeds Act; More specifically, Vice President Biden hopes to triple funding for Title I, the federal program funding • Ended disaggregation of Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) data related to race, sex, schools with a high percentage of students from disability and English-learner status among low-income families, and require districts to use early learners, access to high-quality teachers these funds to offer educators competitive sala- between demographic groups and communi- ries and invest in critical services for underserved ties and funding inequities between communi- students. As president, Vice President Biden plans ties; and to double the number of guidance counselors and mental health professionals in schools, prioritize • Called for schools to reopen for in-person safer schools and increase wraparound services instruction during the COVID-19 crisis by and parent engagement in schools. Additionally, threatening to withhold federal funding for Vice President Biden plans to make school fund- states that did not comply. ing more equitable between white and non-white school districts, as well as between low-income In his reelection campaign, President Trump is and high-income school districts. As president, prioritizing private school choice and the reopening Vice President Biden also pledges to increase the of the nation’s schools in the Fall. presence of teachers of color in classrooms across the country.

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DONALD TRUMP (R) - INCUMBENT JOE BIDEN (D) - FORMER VICE PRESIDENT

Main Higher Education Priorities Main Higher Education Priorities

In his first term, President Trump: If elected President of the United States, Vice Presi- dent Biden plans to: • Implemented the year-round distribution of Pell grants and reformed the student loan • Build on a proposal in the Obama process; Administration and provide debt-free community college or two-year training • Restored $255M in funding for Historically programs for students looking to learn or Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) improve their skills, and provide $50 billion and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs); in workforce training grants to state and and local governments, community colleges and • Signed an executive order extending the employers; moratorium on federal student loan pay- • Make four-year public colleges and univer- ments until December 31, 2020 to provide sities free for students in families earning student borrowers with relief during the less than $125,000 per year; COVID-19 crisis. • Double the maximum value of Pell grants and increase eligibility for the program;

• Reform the student loan system to make it fairer and allow debts to be forgiven or significantly reduced after a period of time;

• Provide wraparound services to both community college and four-year college students to help them succeed in their post- secondary pursuits; and

• Fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act and end the use of high- stakes standardized tests.

Additionally, as president, Vice President Biden plans to make Historically Black Colleges and Uni- versities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) significantly more affordable for students and close funding gaps between HBCUs and other institutions of higher education.

404.523.0001 Follow SEF @SouthernEdFound [email protected] SouthernEducation.org 10 ELECTION 2020 Presidential Candidate Comparison

DONALD TRUMP (R) - INCUMBENT JOE BIDEN (D) - FORMER VICE PRESIDENT

Plan for COVID-19 and Distance Learning Plan for COVID-19 and Distance Learning Infrastructure Infrastructure

During the COVID-19 outbreak in his first term, Vice President Biden has called for expansion of President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, the federal E-rate program, improvements in online Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which learning access for disadvantaged student pop- provided $30.75 billion in emergency funding ulations, and expansion of broadband access for for the nation’s K-12 schools and postsecondary families. Vice President Biden also plans to expand institutions. President Trump pushed for schools to assistance to federal child care centers, Title I reopen for in-person instruction in the fall. schools and other schools facing additional costs due to COVID-19 and the continuation of remote education.

Private School Choice Private School Choice

President Trump and his administration support Vice President Biden opposes private school choice and have advanced private school choice during programs, including school vouchers and tax-credit his first term. The Trump Administration proposed scholarships. a $5 billion tax-credit scholarship program dubbed Education Freedom Scholarships, called for direct federal funding for private schools in COVID-19 relief packages, and has gone on the record in sup- port of private school choice.

Virtual and For-Profit Charter Schools Virtual and For-Profit Charter Schools

President Trump has not articulated a position Vice President Biden opposes for-profit and low-per- on for-profit charter schools. However, President forming charter schools, but he supports charter Trump is in support of school choice for private school accountability, public magnet schools and and charter schools. high-performing public charter schools.

Equitable K-12 Funding Equitable K-12 Funding

President Trump has not articulated a position on Vice President Biden will triple funding for Title I, equitable K-12 funding. However, the White House the federal program funding schools with a high has acknowledged the disproportionate negative percentage of students from low-income families, impact of prolonged school closures on students and require districts to use these funds to offer of color and students from low-income families. educators competitive salaries and invest in critical services for underserved students. Additionally, Vice President Biden plans to make school funding more equitable between white and non-white school dis- tricts, as well as between low-income and high-in- come school districts.

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DONALD TRUMP (R) - INCUMBENT JOE BIDEN (D) - FORMER VICE PRESIDENT

Funding for HBCUs Funding for HBCUs

President Trump signed the FUTURE Act into law, As president, Vice President Biden plans to make which provides $255 million in annual funding to HBCUs and MSIs significantly more affordable for HBCUs and MSIs on a permanent basis. President students and close funding gaps between HBCUs and Trump also renewed the White House Initiative on other institutions of higher education. Vice Presi- HBCUs during his first term. dent Biden plans to invest over $70B in HBCUs and MSIs. As president, Vice President Biden will put this amount toward investments in infrastructure improve- ment for HBCUs, enrollment and retention programs and growing the pipeline for strong career pathways for HBCU students.

School Police School Police

President Trump has championed school resource Vice President Biden has not called for eliminating officers, but has not made specific remarks recent- police officers in schools. He has alsochampioned ly about the presence of police officers in schools. school resource officers. However, as president, Vice President Trump considers himself a friend of law President Biden plans to invest $1 billion in juvenile enforcement and police officers. justice reform, incentivize states to stop incarcerating kids, expand funding for afterschool and diversionary programs, end the school-to-prison pipeline by invest- ing in preventive measures and mental health profes- sionals in schools and protect and expunge juvenile records.

Teacher Recruitment and Retention Teacher Recruitment and Retention

President Trump has not articulated a position on As president, Vice President Biden plans to invest how to improve teacher recruitment and retention. in teacher leadership, mentorship and professional He has been in conflict with teachers unions over development, and he plans to raise teachers’ salary to his calls to reopen schools for in-person instruction improve retention. Additionally, Vice President Biden this fall. plans to help teachers pay off their student loans, and improve teacher pipelines by expanding partnerships with HBCUs and MSIs to produce more teachers of color.

404.523.0001 Follow SEF @SouthernEdFound [email protected] SouthernEducation.org 12 Vice-Presidential Candidate Comparison

MIKE PENCE (R) - INCUMBENT KAMALA HARRIS (D) - U.S. SENATOR

Michael R. Pence is the 48th Vice President of Kamala D. Harris is the junior United States Senator the United States under President Donald Trump. from the State of California and the Democratic Prior to being elected to this position in 2016, nominee for Vice President of the United States. Vice President Pence was the Governor of Indiana She was a presidential candidate during the 2020 for one term, from 2013 to 2017. Vice President Democratic Primary and is currently Vice President Pence also served in Congress as a member of the Biden’s running mate. Prior to being elected to House of Representatives from Indiana from 2000 the Senate, Senator Harris was the 32nd Attorney to 2012. Vice President Pence received his under- General of California. She also served as the 27th graduate degree from Hanover College and his law District Attorney of San Francisco. Senator Harris degree from the Indiana University School of Law. earned her undergraduate degree from Howard University and her law degree from the University of California, Hastings.

404.523.0001 Follow SEF @SouthernEdFound 13 [email protected] SouthernEducation.org ELECTION 2020 Vice-Presidential Candidate Comparison

MIKE PENCE (R) - INCUMBENT KAMALA HARRIS (D) - U.S. SENATOR

Main Education Priorities Main Education Priorities

As Governor of Indiana, Vice President Pence If elected Vice President, Senator Harris plans to helped to increase school funding, expand significantly increase teacher pay. Senator Harris private school choice, create a state-funded will also work with Vice President Biden to close Pre-K program and invest in career and technical the COVID-19 educational equity gap through education in every high school in the state. In the allocating additional relief funding, creating a White Trump administration, Vice President Pence has House-led initiative to identify gaps in learning advocated for a federal tax-credit scholarship and other systemic racial and socioeconomic program and the reopening of schools for in-person diversity, and supporting community schools. instruction in Fall 2020. Senator Harris also supports reforming the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and debt-free college. Additionally, Senator Harris proposed $60 billion in additional funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). During her 2020 presidential campaign, Senator Harris also called for expanding Pre-K, allocating additional funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), boosting funding for high-poverty schools and providing more mental health supports and resources for students. As Vice President, Senator Harris would also bolster civil rights enforcement in schools by working with Vice President Biden to reinstate Obama-era sexual harassment and assault guidance for schools and colleges and addressing disproportionate disciplinary policies.

In her current position as a Senator from California, Senator Harris has sponsored or cosponsored legislation related to implementing family friendly school policies that better align with parents’ workdays, providing institutions of higher education with grants to help meet students’ basic needs, reauthorizing the preservation fund for HBCUs, providing for child welfare, allocating emergency funding for education during the COVID-19 crisis, and increasing teacher recruitment, fully funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), guaranteeing debt-free college and improving the capital financing process for HBCUs, among other education-related issues.

404.523.0001 Follow SEF @SouthernEdFound [email protected] SouthernEducation.org 14 ELECTION 2020 Vice-Presidential Candidate Comparison

MIKE PENCE (R) - INCUMBENT KAMALA HARRIS (D) - U.S. SENATOR

Plan for COVID-19 and Distance Learning Plan for COVID-19 and Distance Learning Infrastructure infrastructure

Vice President Pence serves as the chair of the As Vice President, Senator Harris would work White House’s Coronavirus Task Force, and he has with Vice President Biden to expand assistance to repeatedly called for schools to reopen for in- schools facing extra costs related to COVID-19 and person instruction in the fall. distance learning. If elected, Senator Harris would also work with Vice President Biden to provide emergency relief funding for public schools and child care providers through the HEROES Act, and $4 billion in additional funding to upgrade technology and broadband. Senator Harris and Vice President Biden would also launch a COVID-19 Educational Equity Gap Challenge Grant for states and tribal governments to develop schooling models that advance educational equity.

Private School Choice Private School Choice

As Governor of Indiana, Vice President Pence In 2017, Senator Harris opposed the creation of tax expanded school choice programs in his state. Vice benefits for tuition at private K-12 schools (tax- President Pence has also participated in campaign credit scholarships) and cited U.S. Secretary of roundtables and official events promoting the Education Betsy DeVos’ support of a federal tax- Trump Administration’s private school choice credit scholarship as a reason for voting against policies. Based on his activities as both Vice her nomination. In 2016, she was also against the President of the United States and Governor of Trump campaign’s promise to redirect public school Indiana, Vice President Pence supports private funds toward private schools. The 2020 Democratic school choice and will likely continue to do so if Party platform, of which Vice President Biden and elected to a second term. Senator Harris will be the standard-bearers, opposes all types of private school choice policies that divert public funds away from public schools.

Virtual and For-Profit Charter Schools Virtual and For-Profit Charter Schools

Vice President Pence has not publicly articulated During her time as the Attorney General of California, a position on virtual and for-profit charter schools. Senator Harris sued K12 Inc, a large for-profit virtual However, during his term as Governor of Indiana, charter school, over false advertising and misleading Vice President Pence passed laws to hold poor- business practices. ly-performing charter schools more accountable. In the Trump Administration, Vice President Pence also works closely with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who is closely aligned with and supportive of virtual schools.

404.523.0001 Follow SEF @SouthernEdFound [email protected] SouthernEducation.org 15 ELECTION 2020 Vice-Presidential Candidate Comparison

MIKE PENCE (R) - INCUMBENT KAMALA HARRIS (D) - U.S. SENATOR

Equitable K-12 Funding Equitable K-12 Funding

The Trump Administration threatened to hold Senator Harris proposed additional funding for Title I back federal funds for education if they did not schools to provide more students access to a nurse reopen for in-person instruction in the wake of the and social worker. She also proposed incentives to COVID-19 crisis, with Vice President Pence articu- states that conduct racial and resource equity audits lating agreement with this position. As Governor of and adopt more equitable funding formulas in their Indiana, Vice President Pence modestly increased school districts. As Vice President Biden’s running funding for education, with many of the additional mate, Senator Harris plans to invest in education to funds going toward school vouchers and private eliminate the funding gap between Black and White, school choice. and also between affluent and low-income school districts.

School Disciplinary Practices School Disciplinary Practices

Vice President Pence has not articulated a position During her time as San Francisco District Attorney, on school disciplinary practices. Senator Harris adopted a strict position on truancy that led to the arrests of parents whose children missed a significant amount of school, but she has walked back her support for this policy. As Vice President, Senator Harris would push to drive down disproportionately high rates of discipline for students of color and stop the practice of criminally charging students who get in trouble at school.

School Police School Police

Vice President Pence has not articulated a posi- In June 2020, Senator Harris called for systemic tion specifically on school police. However, Vice change in a tweet saying that millions of students President Pence and the Trump Administration are in the United States have police in their school but strongly allied with police departments and reject no counselor, nurse, psychologist or social worker. calls to defund police departments. During her 2020 campaigns for president and vice president, Senator Harris has not articulated a posi- tion on police in schools.

Wraparound Services Wraparound Services

At a 2020 roundtable discussion, Vice President As Vice President, Senator Harris would work with Pence acknowledged the importance of wrap- Vice President Biden to support community schools around services such as school lunches, special to comprehensively addressThis Dashboard the needs is ofa living students education services and mental health services during and after the COVID-19resource andcrisis. will Senator be Harris provided by K-12 schools. Aside from this, Vice also proposed allocatingupdated federal continuously funds for additionalas President Pence has not articulated a position on after school programsnew and information child development becomes initia - wraparound services. tives in low-income communities. available. We hope you find it useful.

404.523.0001 Follow SEF @SouthernEdFound [email protected] SouthernEducation.org 16 ELECTION 2020 Vice-Presidential Candidate Comparison

MIKE PENCE (R) - INCUMBENT KAMALA HARRIS (D) - U.S. SENATOR

Teacher Recruitment and Retention Teacher Recruitment and Retention

In order to promote teacher recruitment and reten- During her 2020 presidential campaign, Senator tion, as Governor of Indiana, Vice President Pence Harris proposed using $315 billion in federal funds awarded $30 million in bonuses to teachers in over the next 10 years to increase pay for the schools across Indiana. During his term as gover- average American teacher by $13,500, or 23 percent. nor, Vice President Pence also awarded $63 million Senator Harris’ plan also provides teachers in the in performance bonuses to educators. Aside from highest-need schools with a further increase in their these actions, Vice President Pence has not artic- pay to boost recruitment and retention. Additionally, ulated a national plan for teacher recruitment and the plan would support programs at Historically retention during his vice presidency. Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) dedicated to teacher recruitment, training and professional development. Senator Harris’ plan would dedicate federal dollars toward the creation of a range of new teacher recruitment programs, including $2.5 billion for HBCUs with teacher training programs to diversify the teaching workforce.

Gubernatorial Candidate Comparison DELAWARE

Neither of these candidates responded to the Southern Education Foundation’s formal request for information regarding their education platform. All information for these comparisons was either sourced from the candidates’ websites, or from statements the candidates made in articles cited below.

JONN CARNEY (D) - INCUMBENT JULIANNE MURRAY (R) - ATTORNEY

John Carney is the 74th Governor of Delaware. Julianne Murray is an attorney and a Republican Prior to being elected to this position, Governor candidate for Governor of Delaware. Prior to opening Carney was Delaware’s at-large member of the U.S. her own private practice, Ms. Murray worked at a House of Representatives for three terms, from law firm and as a judicial extern for Justice Henry 2011 to 2017. Governor Carney also served as duPont Ridgely of the Delaware Supreme Court. Ms. Delaware’s Lieutenant Governor from 2001 to 2009. Murray received her Bachelor of Science in Human In this position, he created the Models of Excel- Resource Management from the University of lence in Education program that allowed schools in Arizona. She also holds a law degree from Widener Delaware to share best practices. Governor Carney University Delaware Law School. She is running for received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth governor to give Delaware a fresh start. College and his Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Delaware.

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