Biden Calls For 16-Year Public Education System

by: Dien Judge
Friday (10/05) at 11:03 AM

Sen. Joe Biden wants to transform American public education into a 16-year system, getting kids as young as 3 into 'head start" programs.

The Delaware Democrat and presidential candidate announced his education plan Thursday in Des Moines, then set out for two days of campaign stops in southeast Iowa.

Biden's proposal, which comes with a price tag of approximately $30 billion, would fund two full years of preschool for everyone and provide qualifying high school graduates funding to go to college for two years.

At a campaign event in Ottumwa Thursday evening, Biden chatted for 90 minutes with a crowd of about 40 people at the local United Auto Workers hall. He spent a good deal of that time talking about his education plan.

"We've got to start kids to school earlier," said Biden. "If we start kids in a quality preschool at age 3, they have a 25 percent better chance of graduating high school than if we start them at age 6. Teachers have known this for years. So I would invest in early education. I'd double enrollment in Early Headstart and quadruple Headstart."

The plan would also provide $5 billion in grants to states to expand public preschool programs, and would expand home visitation programs for new parents to provide guidance on health, nutrition and school readiness.

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Read More.... http://www.iowaindependent.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=1A1F0EA28AA8D97F49D56BF9BF1013DD?diaryId=1229

though I hope, when he says "college", he's referring to any kind of post secondary education, including trade and technical schools. There are kids who want to be carpenters, plumbers, mechanics, etc.

As a professional in the early childhood field, it's great to hear about a candidate who understands the importance of investing in the earliest years. The ideas about paying for the first two years of college are great too! It's insanity that we don't invest in higher education for our young people. Instead we tell them that they can go into hock for the next 30 years to pay for college.

:thumbsup:

2 years preschool.

12 years primary, secondary school.

4 years undergraduate.

2 to 8 years post-graduate for anyone qualified...

Like most of the civilized world does...

but I'll give Biden his props. He DOES have a lot of good ideas, he's very intelligent and rational -- that's probably why he's considered "2nd tier" -- oh, that and he ain't got the corporate money behind him...

but this is the first I've heard of this from ANY candidate.

And in today's world, a bachelor's degree (or, in some careers, a 2-year degree) is mandatory for most jobs I see out there. It shouldn't be a matter of money anymore, considering how important it is.

And I don't think we're too many years away from a grad degree being mandatory for many jobs as well. (there's also the fact that I'd like to get a 2nd grad degree, but can't afford it :evilgrin: )

but we could do a lot to improve the quality of the education provided for K-12 as it is now.

And of course, as mentioned we should make access to any education after high school cheaper including skilled trades and vocational training.

do believe higher education should be available to all who want to further their education. I would like to see current K-15 improved and more focus on college first. As a mother I feel children under five benefit more from a secure, loving home environment than from pre-school. That is just my personal feeling, though I'm sure it is not true for everyone.

Pretty good idea.

...this is a great idea. Some districts are already doing this...and it does make a difference.

Don't kids usually enter kindergarten at four or five, and pre-school about a year before that, anyways?

But damn, don't ya feel safer?

I don't know before that cuz I arrived in this great country during
IKE adminstration.

IKE was a sane, decent guy. He had a lot of good qualities. Bush has none.

That said, Bush has done a hell of a lot worse.

But as President he wasn't spectacular. Still miles better than most Republicans, though.

And we don't have to hold our heads down in shame, as we do about Iraq and torture.

(my own!) link, it just loads an empty page with the newspaper's banner, and then I have to go hunt for it. Sorry!

I'm telling you, Biden has got all the bases covered. He has so many good ideas for all the major issues our country is dealing with today. By far he is the most well rounded candidate running.

It would greatly help the quality of life for families who need it the most. Head Start is a proven, successful program that deserves to be widely expanded.

http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/

Google peak oil. We are all screwed!

We all agree that our dependency on oil needs to change. Biden has addressed that issue in his campaign. Go to his website- JoeBiden.com He covers many different issues that need attention- including education. I think that the more issues a candidate has that he has a plan for to fix the better the candidate and the more well rounded he is. Biden is the only candidate right now making a difference in the Senate and is not flapping his jaws on nonsense. He's getting things done AND running for President.

2 years of preschool:

K-12th is 13 years

2 more years of college makes 17.

This is good; almost as good as DK's universal public preschool-college. Of course, the big college money, where people stop because they can't afford the tuition, starts in the 3rd year. Community colleges offer affordable 2 year degrees. It's transferring to the 4 year school, and beyond, that leaves many of us in debt into our middle age.

Of course, the crucial point is this: what federal strings come attached to that federal money? More mandates, more high-stakes tests, threats, and punitive strings? Or just support for public education, with policy decisions left up to local stakeholders?

This, plus Biden's stand on NCLB, make him one of the top 3 on education, imo. DK, Biden, and Richardson have the best education plans.

I couldn't find the information in the link. As long as it's not mandatory, I support it. For those parents who can spend time with their kids at age 3, I think we need to have the option of keeping them home.

I did everything I could to stay home with my children when they were young and it was a considerable sacrifice financially, but one I've never regretted. Of course there are children who would probably be better off in a good pre-school instead of being shuffled between babysitters because their parents can't afford to stay home.

And of course, you could always "home-school" your pre-schooler, (who would no longer really be a pre-schooler, either, but there's another knot, huh?) I suppose.

Nominated

Politicians love to throw out education as the solution to everything (almost as much as prisons) and then it is never funded...

It is the 21st century and we are relying on the late 18th century invention of Prisons and the Modern High School as a solution to the ills of society.

Go for the moment they come out of the womb. They might have 61% better chance of graduating then.

Better yet, we should just let the parents have the kid, and then never see them again. It's not about life anymore, it's about the child's future productivity. That way, the parents can get back to work quicker, jobs are created for the people taking care of the kids from birth, and the children are raised according to the book. You could even maybe save some money on the home visitation programs. Take the middle man out of the equation.

Come on Biden. If you're going to do it, go all the way. None of these baby steps. Get to the point.

There is your additional 4 years.

can't afford it. Our country needs to get its priorities straight - education and healthcare should not be privileges reserved for only those who can afford it. I live in CA and having moved here from IL, I am amazed at how affordable the community colleges are here. Our local college has great programs and excellent teachers and most of the young people I know have taken classes there.