Edwards also said he would raise teacher pay by up to $15,000 for educators in high-poverty areas.
His plan also includes:
Creation of a West Point for teachers to recruit 1,000 top college students a year into teaching. Tuition would be waived for students who go to areas with teacher shortages.
Federal money to reduce class sizes, particularly for young children who are learning below grade levels.
Building and expanding 1,000 schools. Edwards will help 250 schools a year expand or start new branches with emphasis on smaller schools. Federal funds will support new buildings, excellent teachers, and other needs.
Recommending longer school days and years to "create new opportunities for children to master the basics and a broader curriculum."
Increasig federal Title I funding and dedicates the increases to low-income schools and districts and rewarding states that distribute funding where it is needed most to increase learning.
Creating multiple paths to graduation such as second chance schools for dropouts and smaller alternative schools for at-risk students.
Creating a Community Corps service programs for high school students, providing money to high schools that choose to make community service a graduation requirement.
--Associated Press
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