Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Priorities, Politics and Funding

  • By Deb Moore
  • 03/11/16

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

  • Harvard Announces Replacement Facility for Native American Program

    Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., recently announced that construction will begin this spring on a new home for its Native American Program, according to university news. The 6,500-square-foot, all-electric building will stand three stories and serve as the central hub for the Harvard University Native American Program (HUNAP).

  • USC Launches Major AI Initiative After $200M Gift

    The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Calif., recently announced that it has launched a “transformational” new AI initiative thanks to a $200M gift, according to a news release. The project will leverage AI toward breakthroughs and innovations in subjects like the health sciences, business, security, and the arts.

  • Zurn Elkay Releases 2025 Sustainability Report

    Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently announced the release of its annual sustainability report, according to a news release. The 2025 report discusses the organization’s efforts to maintain good environmental stewardship and the solutions provided in helping customers meet sustainability goals.

  • Ohio State University Opens 26-Story Hospital

    The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center recently opened in Columbus, Ohio, standing 26 stories and covering 1.9 million square feet, according to a university news release. The project marks ten years of effort and is the university’s largest single-facility construction project ever.