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Compare Bob McDonnell and Creigh Deeds on Their Public Education Records

The VEA Fund for Children and Public Education has done its homework, and the result was unambiguous: Creigh Deeds is the candidate for governor with the superior record on public education. Check out the resources below to find out why Deeds earned a record of 93 percent on the VEA legislative report card, while McDonnell scored only a 52 percent. We encourage you to read the background on key issues, view the videos, and share what you learn with others.

Deeds v. McDonnell

• On issues that matter to VEA members, the choice is clear. See how Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell compare on school funding, teacher pay, vouchers, accountability, and other topics. (PDF file)
• VEA recommends Creigh Deeds for governor. Learn why Deeds' record of accomplishments and his ideas for moving forward make him the right choice. Two flyers: (PDF file) (PDF file)
• Bob McDonnell has a failing record on public schools. (PDF file)
• View video of VEA President Kitty Boitnott explaining why Creigh Deeds earned the recommendation of the VEA Fund for Children and Public Education.
• VEA President Kitty Boitnott comments on Bob McDonnell's education plan in this press release. "Bob McDonnell's rhetoric doesn't match his record," she said.
• VEA President Kitty Boitnott comments on the respective education plans of Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell in this press release. “Deeds will build on the strong public schools we have, while his opponent, with his lengthy record of failing to support investment in our schools, proposes gimmicks like vouchers and tax credits," she said.

The McDonnell Thesis: Why It Matters

VEA has studied McDonnell's thesis as well as his history as a legislator. We're convinced that his roots, as expressed in the thesis, resonate in his record as a public official.

• Bob McDonnell's thesis laid out his views, including his contention that public schools should only provide "a minimum level of self-sufficiency." Read the thesis yourself here. (PDF file).
• Here are the links between the thesis and McDonnell's later positions. (PDF file )

School Funding and the 65-Percent Delusion

Virginia public schools are high achievers, despite the state's relatively low level of funding support (37th in the nation in state spending per pupil). Creigh Deeds voted with Mark Warner for the biggest school funding boost ($1.5 billion) in Virginia's history, and he's committed to increasing school funding as governor. Bob McDonnell opposed the $1.5-billion increase.

In addition, McDonnell is pinning his school funding plan on a discredited scheme to set an artificial benchmark for classroom spending. The so-called "65-percent solution" McDonnell is selling is more accurately called the "65-percent delusion." Read on for more.

• McDonnell's contention that the 65-percent benchmark solves Virginia's funding problems suffers from faulty math and logic. Read more in this article by VEA's Rob Jones first posted on www.VirginiaTomorrow.com. (PDF file)
• Voters and legislators across the U.S. have repeatedly defeated "65-percent" ballot initiatives and laws. And with good reason. Get a perspective on other states in "The Fallacy of the '65-Percent' Delusion." (PDF file)
• Check out the real aims of the 65-percent delusion. It was designed to break down education unions and introduce vouchers, among other aims. Analyst Gerald Bracey documents the history in his Education News article here.

Teacher Pay

• Creigh Deeds wants to lift Virginia teacher salaries to at least the national average, while Bob McDonnell voted against raising educator pay five separate times. (PDF file)

Vouchers

Vouchers allow parents to send their children to private schools at public expense. They have not been shown to result in student achievement gains, but they do siphon money away from the public school system. Creigh Deeds has never voted in favor of vouchers. Bob McDonnell introduced a bill to study vouchers and has expressed support for a voucher program in Washington, D.C.

• Read about Bob McDonnell's voucher plans. (PDF file)

Transportation

Creigh Deeds has plans for a bipartisan solution to the state's transportation problems. Bob McDonnell's plan would siphon off $5.4 billion from education and other core priorities over 10 years.

• VEA President Kitty Boitnott comments on McDonnell's transportation plan in this press release. "This is absolutely the wrong time to pit the interests of the construction industry against Virginia’s school children,” she said.

Steve Shannon vs. Ken Cuccinelli

• The attorney general can play a critical role on education issues. Read our comparison piece (PDF file) that spells out why Steve Shannon got our recommendation for the post.