 | |
| |
|
Obama Claim: "We're going to choose the best possible education for our children … I am [against school choice programs]." Obama Fact: Pro-Educrats, Anti-Parental Choice Barack Obama says he wants to spend more money to improve public school education in Illinois, but Obama locks children in failing schools and shelters special interest groups by opposing school choice and voting to keep parents in the dark about school performance. SB 1075: Amendment to Illinois Income Tax Act Obama Voted No (3/25/99) Would have provided an income tax credit for all full-time Kindergarten through Grade 12 students, in an amount equal to 25% of qualified educational expenses up to $500. HB 449: "Bottoms Up" Education Plan Obama Voted No (1997) Would have increased telecommunications and cigarette taxes and made other budget cuts to provide an additional $455 million for Illinois schools. HB 452: School Funding Reform Package Obama Not Voting (1997) Would have authorized the Capital Development Board to make grants to school districts for school construction projects. Would have authorized the State Board of Education to award grants for debt service for specified grant priorities requiring participants to develop and update district facilities plans. Would have authorized the State Board of Education to administer a revolving loan program to school districts to fund the acquisition of technology hardware. SB 557: Alternative Statewide Teacher Certification Program Obama Not Voting (1997) (1) Would have designated the newly created certification process as the Alternative Route to Teacher Certification Program instead of as the Alternative Teacher Certification program. (2) Would have provided for issuance of a standard elementary or high school teaching certificate instead of an Alternative Teaching Certificate upon completion of the program. (3) Would have required applicants to have been employed for at least 5 years in the area of the applicant's education. (4) Would have provided for the assignment of a mentor certified teacher to advise and assist each program participant in his or her teaching assignment. SB 759: Discharge of a Firearm Near a School Obama Voted Present (1999) Would have provided mandatory adult prosecution for persons aged 15 and older for aggravated discharge of a firearm in or near a school. HB 1812: School Performance Obama Voted No (1999) Would have required the State Board of Education to make available on the Internet "report cards" on school performance, and directed schools to equip computers with software to prevent minors from gaining access to sexually explicit material on the Internet. SB 560: Educational Goals Obama Voted No (1997) Would have required the State Board of Education to adopt General Assembly-approved goals for education and learning in Illinois schools. HB 3793: School Discipline Obama Voted Present (1998) Would have required all public schools to teach discipline and respect for others. SB 99: Sex Education Obama Supported in Committee (2003) Would have created explicit sex education programs for public school children in Kindergarten through Grade 12. |
