Chris Dodd understands that meeting today’s challenges will require the most educated generation in this country’s history – that in today’s increasingly global economy, America’s leadership, economy, and national security all rest on our commitment to educating and preparing our people for success.
With a lifetime spent strengthening America’s schools, Chris Dodd is now offering the most ambitious and comprehensive education plan by any Presidential candidate, from preschool to college.
- The Dodd plan will reduce the cost of college student loans, raise the Pell Grant and provide an opportunity for free community college to every American.
- The Dodd Education plan will ensure that all Americans have access to a world-class public education.
- Chris Dodd will reform No Child Left Behind to realize the promise of strengthening and supporting every public school.
- The Dodd plan will ensure that every American graduates from high school college- and workforce-ready.
The Dodd Plan: Making College Affordable and Accessible
- Ending Corporate Welfare on Student Loans: The Dodd plan will end the outdated corporate subsidies for banks and increase competition for lower interest rates on student loans by requiring banks to compete in a federally run auction to offer federal student loans. Excessive profits at the expense of the taxpayer will be eliminated and redirected to student aid so that college is more affordable for young Americans and their families.
- Community College for All: The Dodd plan will partner with states to subsidize in-state tuition at public community colleges for students earning credit towards an associate’s degree. The Dodd plan will match dollar for dollar any tuition reduction offered by the state. Under this plan community college can be free for every American.
- Raising the Pell Grant: The Dodd plan will increase the Pell Grant by $100 each year to ensure that qualified, hard working low- and moderate-income students can afford college without taking out an exorbitant amount of student loans.
- Putting a Spotlight on the Skyrocketing Cost of Tuition: A Dodd Administration will use the power of the Presidency to bring to light schools whose tuition unreasonably outpaces inflation. By annually publishing a tuition inflation index and a list of colleges and universities whose tuition exceeds it, Chris Dodd believes we can provide students and families with a better idea of how much they can expect to pay for higher education while encouraging schools to act responsibly.
- Protecting Students from Unscrupulous Lenders: President Dodd will continue his leadership on this issue by extending new protections to private student loans in order to improve transparency, prevent unfair and deceptive private lending practices and eliminate conflicts of interest.
The Dodd Plan: High Quality Schools that Prepare Every Child
- Universal Preschool: The Dodd plan will ensure that every parent has access to high-quality, affordable preschool by creating a Pre-K Incentive Fund that matches state funds in providing high-quality preschool to all 4-year-olds. In addition, Dodd will increase funding for Head Start and invest in infant and toddler programs.
- Reforming No Child Left Behind: The Dodd plan will reform No Child Left Behind by providing states with the flexibility to use multiple measures to demonstrate student learning-- measures like student improvement over time. The Dodd plan will allow schools to target resources such as tutoring to the students who need them the most. Dodd will introduce more common sense into the teacher certification process. And, instead of penalizing public schools that need help, Chris Dodd will invest in them.
- Experienced, Quality Teachers In Every School: The Dodd plan will double the number of nationally board certified teachers and incentivize them to go where they are needed most – low performing, high poverty schools. By paying for the cost of national board certification for any teacher who commits to teach in a high need school for five years and providing them with a salary supplement of $10,000 a year, the Dodd plan will ensure that every school has experienced teachers.
- World-Class Standards: The Dodd plan will create voluntary American standards in math, science and language arts and provide states with incentives to adopt them. It is time American students reclaim their position as world leaders in academic excellence.
- Extended Learning: The Dodd plan will provide funding to schools that wish to lengthen their school day to spend more time on academics and offer a richer, fuller curriculum.
- Modernizing Schools, Reducing Class Size: To produce high performing students, we need safe and cutting-edge schools. By making $25 billion available for the construction of new schools and the modernization of existing schools, the Dodd plan will ensure that every child goes to school in a state-of-the-art learning environment. Priority will be given to districts that have a greater number or percentage of low-income children, have an immediate need to address safety concerns, are working to reduce class size or demonstrate a commitment to green technologies.
- Keeping Kids on Track: In a Dodd Administration, every 9th grader will have a personalized graduation plan that ensures that they stay on-track for college and the workforce from the moment they enter high school.
- Virtual Learning: The Dodd plan will allow all schools and students, no matter where they are located, a chance to supplement their curriculum with advanced or specialized courses online. A Virtual Learning Innovation Fund will grant funds to school districts, states, nonprofits and universities to create and make these courses available. Students in rural and underserved schools should have the same access to supplemental course offerings as all other students. The Dodd Administration will use technology to bring equality in education throughout our country.
- Focusing Philanthropic Efforts: As much as $6 billion is donated every year to public schools by private foundations. President Dodd will create a Council on Education Philanthropy to strategize how private and public dollars can best be leveraged to ensure that American students graduate from high school ready to compete in the global economy. By making the process more efficient American students and families will reap greater benefits out of every dollar spent.
