The Big Ideas Project

Merged Idea

Stop privatization of Public Schools. These "reformists" like Campbell and Michelle Rhee are insidious as they are working for hedge funds and corporations and publishers. If they control who teaches and what is taught, we no longer have a democracy. These groups are profit seekers and not educators . They are anti Union as well The President needs to get rid of Arne Duncan and listen to Diane Ravitch

Submitted by Harriet Stolper, Retired Teacher in Education Nov. 11, 2014, 5:23 p.m.

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#28

4555 votes

Merged Idea

0% Interest on college loans for those who earn a degree, under or post graduate.

Submitted by Kathy McGrogan in Education Nov. 11, 2014, 5:47 p.m. 1

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#29

4412 votes

Merged Idea

Increase and improve K-12 education for all. Equalize money to all school districts regardless of their residents' ability to pay taxes. A good public education is our great equalizing factor and the future of our country.

Submitted by Nancy Crane from PA in Education Nov. 6, 2014, 7:31 a.m.

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#35

4098 votes

Merged Idea

Revive Civics in US High Schools. Actually TEACH our young adults how our government was formed, how it works, and MOST importantly - their role in that Government. If more citizens were educated properly about our democratic Republic as children and teens, then as voting age adults we might see more of them voting.

Submitted by Angela Marx in Education Dec. 15, 2014, 3:43 p.m.

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#43

3639 votes

It’s time to return the U.S. to a system of debt-free college. Today, most students borrow to pay for college, and average debt has ballooned. Both students of color and low-income students are much more likely to take on debt, betraying our nation’s promise of equal opportunity and upward mobility. This shift to a debt-based system is both recent and radical, but we can return to debt-free college by reforming financial aid and encouraging states to re-invest in their colleges.

Submitted by Mark Huelsman, Senior Policy Analyst at Demos in Education Dec. 10, 2014, 1:11 a.m.

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#55

3155 votes

Merged Idea

Let's scale up career and technical education (CTE) programs that provide multiple pathways to high school graduation, higher education, advanced training and certification, and careers in everything from healthcare and robotics. We need more pathways to access well-paying jobs that will help restore the middle class in this country. To kickstart a CTE renaissance, Congress must reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act with full funding.

Submitted by American Federation of Teachers in Education Dec. 10, 2014, 1:50 a.m.

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#70

2819 votes

We need universal preschool and high quality daycare. Daycare should be subsidized like it is in Europe, so everyone can afford it.

Submitted by Kay McChesney in Education Nov. 15, 2014, 9:51 a.m. 1

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#135

1706 votes

Expand apprenticeship programs, perhaps first open them to all veterans; college is not for all and we need the skilled workers they provide.

Submitted by Nancy Munro in Education Nov. 6, 2014, 10:51 a.m.

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#144

1578 votes

Make all student loans directly from the government rather than giving a gift to banks by letting them act as useless and very expensive intermediary. The government is already equipped, through the IRS, to collect repayment as part of tax collection.

Submitted by Kent Pitman in Education Jan. 10, 2015, 4:23 p.m.

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#171

1377 votes

Let’s transform the schools serving our neediest students into community schools, bringing academics, activities, and services (like health care, counseling, and mentoring) under one roof. States, cities, and community groups must fund partnerships that integrate and align in-school services with the common goal of ensuring student success and building strong neighborhoods. Half of U.S. public school students are poor – yet we continue to give fewer resources to the kids who need help the most.

Submitted by American Federation of Teachers in Education Dec. 10, 2014, 1:51 a.m.

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#172

1374 votes

Public education is a matter of national self interest. It should be supported from general revenue and be available to anyone at any age subject only to reasonable academic standards. Unemployed can seek new skills; employed prepare for advancement; the curious can satisfy their thirst for knowledge broadening their view of the world. Private schools should not be subsidized but remain available to any student. I believe such a program would force private institutions to compete.

Submitted by Richard Yarnell in Education Nov. 6, 2014, 1:06 a.m.

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#188

1296 votes

My position--no tuition! State colleges (including community colleges) should offer free tuition to all residents in their state. The tuition-free education should be paid with a 50% federal match to state funds. We currently provide free K-12 education to the public. It's time to extend that to K-16.

Submitted by Paul Egerman in Education Dec. 12, 2014, 5:44 p.m. 3

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#205

1176 votes

Merged Idea

Federal Student Loan forgiveness.

Submitted by Patrick Earnest in Education Nov. 6, 2014, 3:10 p.m.

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#212

1155 votes

Each high school student in America in their junior or senior year of school should be taught a course in basic logic, and a course in media literacy. Because they lack fundamental critical thinking skills, many millions of Americans remain ignorant, naive and gullible, continually falling victim to the coarsest kinds of political demagoguery, lies, scams and media manipulations. It has reached the tipping point of national crisis, and threatens the very foundation of our democracy.

Submitted by Mystic Michael in Education Dec. 19, 2014, 1:29 a.m.

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#247

960 votes

Any student that qualifies to be in the top ten percent of an agreed upon national entrance exam, such as the SATs, gets a free education to any university they are accepted. The money for this can be raised from a tax that only applies to people and corporations making more than $10 million a year. If this country gave you such great opportunities, shouldn't you be expected to help the next generation achieve those same opportunities? These kids will have earned the right to a fair chance.

Submitted by Cenk Uygur, Host of The Young Turks in Education Dec. 10, 2014, 1:41 a.m. 1

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#250

947 votes

Private organizations are able to buy student debt at pennies on the dollar and then turn around and force the loan holder to pay back the full amount of the debt. Allow those with student debt access to those same deals to drastically lower their debt. On top of that student debt should not be placed in a special category where it cannot be dispensed with in bankruptcy. There is no reason it should be some special form of debt.

Submitted by Ryan K. from NE in Education Dec. 10, 2014, 4:35 p.m. 1

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#259

892 votes

Enact legislation that stipulates climate change shall be taught as a mandatory science course in primary and secondary public schools in the United States.

Submitted by Jgf9898 in Education Jan. 3, 2015, 10:20 p.m.

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#281

797 votes

Amend the Constitution to guarantee that all states MUST provide access to good quality Public School Education PreK-12 and beyond for all. Providing those schools with the necessary funding & up to date resources to provide opportunity they need for students to be able to realize & reach their full potential

Submitted by Roger M. from NY in Education Dec. 30, 2014, 3:24 p.m.

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#291

775 votes

Merged Idea

Make public colleges free for everyone living in the U.S. Research shows that this is actually a more affordable option for the government to undertake. Scrap residency requirement, so that a person from out of state doesn't pay tuition as well. Tuition is fueling inequality in this country, where rich people have more opportunity than the rest.

Submitted by Elena R. from WA in Education Dec. 10, 2014, 2:28 p.m.

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#304

744 votes

Federal guidelines and laws to protect our environment from exploitation. Allowing local agencies, usually a few influential greedy locals in concert with big money, to make decisions such as frac sand mining is unethical and dangerous.

Submitted by Mary Jane M. from MN in Education Nov. 7, 2014, 10:11 a.m.

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#319

715 votes

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