Mark Kirk voted for the “No Child Left Behind” legislation, then consistently underfunded the program.
Voted for a school voucher program that would privatize public education in the District of Columbia.
Voted to cut student loans by $12.7 Billion.
Siding Against Students and Teachers
...While Touting His Education Record
Voted against a bill that would have extended tax benefits allowing individuals to deduct college tuitions and related expenses from their taxes.
A day after Kirk joined Republicans in a failed vote to scuttle a bill that would allow more money to be given in college loans, Kirk then voted for the bill he had just attempted to keep from the house floor.
“[Kirk] says he is a strong supporter of education, yet his votes in Washington are not consistent with that. Kirk voted against additional federal funding for teacher training and against hiring 100,000 new teachers to reduce class sizes.”
- Chicago Daily Herald LTTE
“We have a tradition of education excellence in this district. Our children deserve safe, drug-free schools with world-class teachers.”
- Mark Kirk Campaign website
Mark Kirk only voted 8% of the time for educational measures supported by the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
Kirk's highest rating from the PTA was a 75% in 2001-2002.