Priorities, Politics and Funding

K-12 education, an issue that affects every child in America, is one of the least talked about issues in the 2016 presidential race. While the candidates ignoring education may be short-sighted, it should come as no surprise. According to the March 2-6 Gallup poll, only 4 percent of Americans consider education the nation's most important problem. The economy and unemployment topped the list at 28 percent. Dissatisfaction with government came in second at 15 percent. At least 5 percent of Americans mention several other issues including immigration, healthcare, race relations, terrorism, the election and the federal budget deficit.  Education did not even hit the 5 percent mark. 

When it comes to politics, the K-12 education topics discussed the most by the 2016 presidential candidates include school choice, charter schools, voucher programs, common core, standardized testing, a return to state and local control, character education, and the shrinking or abolishing of the U.S. Department of Education. 

Issues where there appears to be a general consensus are:

  • every parent should have a choice, and school choice should be promoted all across the country – for the rich and for the poor;
  • charter schools should be part of the mix;
  • common core is not the right move and there should be a return to local control.

Funding for education did not even make the candidates list, so the question is – with education falling so far down on the priority list, will increased funding for K-12 become a priority in 2017.

Featured

  • Fellowes Launches New 3D Modular, Product Configurators

    Contract interiors and architectural solutions provider Fellowes recently announced the launch of new 3D modular and product configurators for several of its product lines, according to a news release. The new products offer SIF file integration and pricing for the Volo, Markerboards, Sena, and Rising product lines in connection with 3D Cloud, which provides 3D product visualization and 3D digital asset management.

  • Epson Receives Seven AV Industry Awards

    Projectors manufacturer Epson recently announced that it received multiple awards across the Higher Ed AV Awards, SCN Stellar Service Awards, and InfoComm 2025, according to a news release. The company was recognized for three projectors from its PowerLite L-Series line, accessories, installation process, and its customer support team.

  • old university building with visible aging signs, overlaid with digital data graphics like thermal maps, charts, and system icons

    Modernizing Higher Education Infrastructure: Why Smarter Facility Management Is Essential to Protecting Aging Schools

    Schools now have the opportunity to adopt smarter, more strategic approaches to futureproof operations and enhance the on-campus experience.

  • Addressing the Housing Affordability Crisis Through Creative Campus Development

    Many Southern California college and university campuses are living amidst surging housing costs, driving the need to house more of their populations on campus. Especially for community colleges, the need to support millions of unhoused and housing insecure students has become a prominent issue that lawmakers and institutions alike are trying to solve.

Digital Edition