GOVERNOR BRANSTAD VS. CANDIDATE BRANSTAD ON IMPROVING EDUCATION
Once again, candidate Branstad promises Iowans that he’ll improve Iowa’s education system. However, Governor Branstad already broke that ‘promise’ to Iowans.
There are two faces to Terry Branstad: candidate Branstad who makes empty campaign promises to help him survive the primary and former Governor Branstad who failed to fulfill the campaign promises he made the first time around.
“Iowans need more than empty promises and political talking points. We’ve heard him make this promise to improve education before. But as Governor, he never made it enough of a priority and Iowa schools fell in the rankings,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan.
Here are the facts on the two faces of Terry Branstad and how Governor Branstad fell short:
Promise: Improve Iowa’s education system.
Fact: According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Iowa’s reading scores dropped under Branstad.[1]
Fact: From the mid-80s to mid-90s, the high school graduation rate decreased by nearly 5%.[2]
Fact: When Branstad was elected, Iowa teachers earned $1,700 less than the national average. By 1996, Iowa teachers were paid more than $5,000 less than the national average. [3]
“A candidate is never going to say that they are against improving education, that’s why he’s made this promise. But, the reality is that this is a political stunt,” said Kiernan.
Sources:
- National Center for Education Statistics
- National Center for Education Statistics
- National Center for Education Statistics