Steyer unveils education plan to double federal funding of pre-K through 12th grade education

Presidential candidate Tom Steyer (D) revealed his education plan designed to double federal funding for pre-K through 12th grade education.

Steyer’s proposal aims to address inequality in education, learning resources and opportunities, specifically for students of color and students from low-income families.

“For too long, we have underinvested in our children and legislated inequities into the system that rob American students of the skills needed to thrive as participants in our democracy, society, and economy,” he said in a release. 

“The smartest investment we as a society can make is in our people, and my plan will improve the quality of education every student receives regardless of zip code,” he added. 

The philanthropist’s plan seeks to provide free, universal access to “high quality” preschool and pay teachers as skilled professionals by matching every dollar they are paid by states and districts. 

Steyer also aims to cut the dropout rate in half, address child poverty, increase apprenticeships and workforce credentials earned in high schools, and freeze charter school expansion and boost accountability.

The presidential candidate said education contributes to “our collective prosperity,” adding that his mom worked as a teacher at New York Public Schools.

Steyer has received less than 1 percent of the total state delegate equivalents in the Iowa caucuses with 92 percent of precincts reporting as of Wednesday night. But he slid into third in last week’s Morning Consult poll for the early primary states behind former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

The philanthropist has qualified for Friday’s New Hampshire debate.