A People's Democratic Platform (Page 4)

John Brademas
John Brademas, president emeritus of New York University, was for twenty-two years (1959-81) a Democratic Representative from Indiana in Congress, where he helped write all the measures enacted to support schools, colleges and universities; the arts and the humanities; libraries and museums; and to provide services for children, the elderly and the disabled.

"Education," said President John F. Kennedy, "is the keystone in the arch of freedom and progress." Adequate investment in education is indispensable to our national security, the conduct of our foreign policy, our economic strength and the quality of our individual lives. A Democratic President and Congress will take the following actions:

§ Finance the No Child Left Behind Act at authorized levels, while providing states both the funds and administrative clarity necessary to implement the statute effectively.

§ Create universal preschool programs, particularly for children from low-income families.

§ Double the amount of the Pell Grant for college students from low and middle-income families.

§ Provide funds for research in how to improve teaching and learning.

§ Increase funds for study of foreign languages and of countries and cultures other than our own, including funds for international exchanges.

§ Increase funds for the National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

§ Provide funds and incentives (for example, loan-forgiveness programs) for educating, mentoring and retaining qualified pre-school, elementary and secondary schoolteachers, especially in high-need areas.

§ Revive and expand investment in research in science and technology, with particular attention to national security, health and economic innovation.

§ Finance the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act at authorized levels.

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