Education

As the father of two daughters, the son of two teachers, and as an educator himself, Scott Kleeb understands and appreciates the value of quality education. In an increasingly competitive global economy, Scott believes that America's young people need the skills to compete in the worldwide marketplace. Scott understands that these skills begin at home, and through early encouragement, each child born in the United States can be a part of new developments taking place.

REFORM NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation was a milestone in education policy. However, insufficient funding from the federal government, onerous standards, and wasteful spending have plagued this initiative. Scott Kleeb believes it’s time to deliver the promise of this important measure.

End unfunded mandates. Scott Kleeb agrees that NCLB set important goals for student achievement, but Washington must stop passing the buck onto the states. Instead, Scott will ensure that our schools have the tools and resources they need to succeed. That starts with ending unfunded mandates.

Allow state flexibility. While national standards are an important indicator of how well our kids are being educated, states must be permitted some flexibility in how they implement and execute programs. Scott will work to ensure states have the flexibility they need to provide quality education.

Improve accountability standards. Just like in any other profession, Scott Kleeb believes that teachers and school administrators should be held accountable for their students’ growth and success. However, accountability standards must be designed to enhance and support, not to punish. Scott is committed to fighting for our teachers and our students by implementing accountability standards that work.

Restructure AYP. Scott Kleeb is a proponent of comprehensive education practices designed to help a student grow over time. That’s why Scott believes we must restructure the Annual Yearly Progress approach to student assessment. This will provide better benchmarks for success with more realistic expectations based on progress over time.

HELP AMERICA'S YOUNG PEOPLE GET AHEAD

Scott Kleeb knows firsthand how important a teacher is in a young person’s life. The son of two teachers and a teacher himself, Scott is committed to making sure we have a teaching profession that is of the highest quality. Scott believes we must:

Stop teaching to the test. We cannot simply teach kids what they need to know to perform on a standardized test. Scott Kleeb knows that’s not real learning, and it’s not inspiring kids to get the most out of their education.

Reduce the size of classes in order to give more individual attention to students. Studies have shown that students are at their best when the student-teacher ratio is as low as possible. By giving students the individual attention they need, test scores improve, discipline problems dissipate, and teacher morale improves.

Invest in early childhood education programs. Programs such as Head Start give students an early leg up, better preparing them for educational challenges down the road. Scott Kleeb will work to increase funding for Head Start and similar programs to provide kids with the mental and physical tools they deserve.

Extend and enhance reading programs that work. All around the state, Scott Kleeb has heard from parents and educators about the importance of continuing vital reading programs designed to get all of Nebraska’s kids reading at grade level or better. Scott, an avid reader, is committed to making sure that we continue to fund reading programs that work.

Expand after-school programs. Keeping kids engaged in quality after-school programs not only keeps kids away from damaging influences, but also fosters a sense of service and community. Scott Kleeb supports and encourages the use of these important programs.

Improve student performance in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Scott Kleeb believes that we must improve our achievements in science and mathematics, so that America’s students are fully prepared to enter into the increasingly competitive and technological global economy. Scott supports additional funding for scholarship incentives and partnering with corporate America to recruit high quality math and science teachers dedicated to giving our young people the education they deserve.

INVEST IN AMERICA'S TEACHERS

Scott Kleeb is committed to making sure we have the best teaching professionals in the world. That’s why Scott will work to:

Provide teachers the tools they need to succeed. Setting benchmarks for student and teacher achievement means nothing if we don’t give teachers and schools the tools they need to succeed.

Recruit, retain, and reward teachers. Accountability in the classroom must be focused on helping our teachers perform better. Scott will work to:

Offer incentives, such as scholarships and student-loan forgiveness, that encourage college graduates to enter the education profession.
Recruit more qualified teachers into hard-to-staff fields, such as math and science, and hard-to-staff school districts.
Offer incentives for teachers to continue post-graduate studies during their careers.
Pay teachers a competitive wage and create mentoring programs so that seasoned teachers can teach others how to succeed.

HELP AMERICANS GET AHEAD THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION

Scott Kleeb understands that getting a college degree is not a luxury; it is crucial to getting ahead. Yet, the cost of higher education remains out of reach for too many Nebraskans. Scott is committed to making a college degree and other post-educational programs more accessible and more affordable to all Nebraskans by:

Proposing a National Defense Education Act. Fifty years ago, the launch of Sputnik sent shockwaves around the world. America responded by passing the National Defense Education Act and reinvesting in our children and the sciences to create the most well-educated workforce on Earth. With soaring gas prices and a pressing need for national energy security, Scott believes we must invest in a National Defense Education Act for the 21st Century.

Providing a tax credit for families paying for college. Parents shouldn’t have to decide between putting food on the table and helping their kids achieve the American dream. That’s why Scott Kleeb is committed to helping parents and young people by offering a tax credit of up to $5,000 to help defray the cost of college.

Expand funding for Pell Grants. Pell Grants have helped countless students to attain a college degree. Scott Kleeb will work to increase funding for Pell Grants.

Increase loan forgiveness opportunities. Young people all around the country hope to get a quality education so they can go back and serve communities in need. But the soaring cost of higher education presents limitations on young people entering critically important service-oriented industries. Scott Kleeb will support measures to provide scholarship incentives for young people to enter service-oriented fields that assist underserved communities, including joining the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps.

Incentives for mid-career education. Scott Kleeb knows that learning doesn’t end when you graduate from school. From a teacher who wants to pursue a higher degree to a professional looking to change careers or advance in a job, Scott will work to provide grants and scholarships to help middle-class professionals get ahead.

Strengthen community colleges and technical schools. More and more, those looking for career advancement and job training seek higher learning programs at two-year community colleges and technical schools. Scott Kleeb knows that these institutions help hard-working Americans get ahead, and will be an advocate for increasing funding for programs and scholarships in the Senate.

SUPPORT RURAL EDUCATION

Our rural areas continue to be squeezed by higher taxes and soaring prices. Making matters worse, more and more young people are leaving rural communities, creating a “brain drain.” Scott Kleeb is committed to strengthening our small towns, which starts by recognizing the importance of strong schools in rural America. Scott supports:

Expanding broadband access and increasing the number of computers in rural schools so geography isn’t a limitation to getting a global education.
Increasing funding to repair and refurbish ailing schools.
Increasing pay for educators in rural areas so our schools can be competitive.
Providing incentives for college educated teachers to return to rural communities.
Making sure that any school consolidation plans are fair and in the best interest of all our students regardless of their zip code.