Education: Strengthening the Classroom & The Innovative Education Act

The changing landscape of North Carolina’s economy – accelerated by poorly structured trade agreements – created uncertainty for thousands of North Carolina workers at a time when a high school diploma or GED was not what it used to be. When economies change the necessary skills to compete change in tandem and so North Carolina had to adapt or get left behind. Walter Dalton recognized this and knew that our state had to do a better job preparing our students for the 21st century workforce. His Innovative Education Act provides the opportunity, the resources, and the access to make sure our children are prepared to compete.

Passed by the General Assembly in 2003, Walter Dalton’s Innovative Education Act is a singular achievement for North Carolina students. The provisions of this landmark legislation are noted for their vision in addressing the evolving educational needs and demands of a growing global economy and transitioning state economy. In short, it insures our children have the best chance to succeed beyond high school in today’s economy.

Walter Dalton has always been a champion of education, believing that it is a catalyst for job creation and the foundation for a good quality of life. As Lieutenant Governor, he will build on his 11 years of success in the North Carolina Senate fighting to ensure that every child receives the education they deserve and require to compete. Here are the highlights of Walter’s extensive work on education.

Innovative Education Act

• Created the Learn and Earn Program which allows high school students to earn an associates degree in five years in addition to their high school diploma.
• Established cooperative efforts between secondary schools and institutions of higher education to reduce the high school dropout rate, increase high school and college graduation rates, decrease the need for remediation in institutions of higher education, and raise certificate, associate, and bachelor degree completion rates.
• Enables students to complete a technical or academic program in a field that is in high demand and has high wages.
• Ties local programs to the economic vision plans of the economic development region.
• Programs are accountable to the local school board giving individual school systems greater control and ability to adapt programs to local needs and circumstances.

Strengthening the Classroom

• Supported legislation that reduced class size.
• Increased teachers' salaries and added accountability to the classroom.
• Authored the character education  bill.
• Protected the education budget from deep cuts during the recession and increased education spending each year.
• Wrote the 2007 budget that Governor Easley said “Makes NC a clear leader in education innovation.”

Community Colleges

• Worked to secure funding for the community college system that led to the expansion of colleges and biotech programs across the state.
• Introduced legislation to allow community colleges to form public-private partnerships for construction needs and provide entrepreneurial services for start up companies.
• Community colleges are critical to getting the local economies back on track, retraining displaced workers and giving younger students the skills for twenty-first century jobs. Walter supports creating a statewide program that gives every student two free years at community college to get their associate degree.
• Recognized as Senator of the Year by the Community College Faculty Association.

Early Childhood Education

• Started More at Four
• Continuously increased funding for Smart Start so kids enter kindergarten ready and able to learn.