Public Education
I am committed to public education and grateful that Nebraska has a long commitment to sound education for all children in our state.
The Conservative Case for Public Education
When we have an educated citizenry, we have a stronger workforce and a more robust economy. When more of us can “pull ourselves up by our bootstraps,” all of us win.
Public schools also serve an important civic role. They assure each and every child is prepared to engage in the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and help to Americanize immigrants. By integrating both American-born students and immigrants from a range of backgrounds into one citizenry, we forge a stronger American identity.
History of Public Education in the US
Public education has been present on this continent since 1635 and by 1870 all states in our nation supported tax funded elementary schools. At that time, the United States had one of the HIGHEST literacy rates in the world. Public education was determined to be a foundational right as well as investment in our nation’s economic viability and essential to a democracy dependent upon the wisdom of its citizens.
Founding Fathers on Public Education
“There should not be a district of one mile square, without a school in it, not founded by a charitable individual, but maintained at the expense of the people themselves.”
John Adams, 2nd President of the United States
“I think by far the most important bill in our whole code is that for the diffusion of knowledge among the people. No other sure foundation can be devised for the preservation of freedom, and happiness.”
Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of the United States
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father