Daniel Cameron unveils education plan, appeals to teachers who voted for Beshear

Gubernatorial hopeful Daniel Cameron unveiled a multipronged plan to bolster Kentucky’s schools and students, if elected, Tuesday morning, while pleading with teachers to give his Republican campaign a chance.

Dubbed “The Cameron Catch-Up Plan,” the platform targets learning recovery following COVID-19 school closures, improving the learning environment by improving discipline and ensuring more resources go to teachers and classrooms, rather than the central office.

The proposal includes:

• An optional, state-funded 16-week tutoring program for after school and the summer for kids who are behind in reading and math, plus bonuses for teachers who work in the program;

• More phonics-based reading instruction and more reading interventionists;

• A $41,500 salary floor for new teachers.

Cameron’s plan also asks state education department leaders to recommend best practices to districts on handling behavior issues and work alongside them to find chronically absent children.

“I offer this proposal, these ideas, out of a spirit of humility,” Cameron said.

The Republican, who is married to a former teacher, pleaded with educators who may have voted for Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear in 2019 after they were routinely criticized by former GOP Gov. Matt Bevin to now give him a chance.

“I know that you might have some apprehensions about me, or for that matter, any Republican nominee for governor,” Cameron said. “So, let me just simply say, I’m sorry - sorry for any comments that have made you feel less than valued or have led you to have serious misgivings about the Republican Party on the topic of education.”

Cameron said his plan, if implemented, “won’t be without significant cost.” He estimated the plan could cost $100 million in state funding, but that may shift.

Cameron’s plan mirrors initiatives some school districts have already started. For example, Jefferson County Public Schools built out after-school and summer learning programs for students and launched a new districtwide reading and math curriculum following the pandemic.

Beshear ran an education-focused campaign in 2019, winning over the teacher voting bloc by being seen as pro-public education and promising across-the-board teacher raises. Education has remained a priority during his first term in office, but many of Beshear’s initial proposals fell flat in the GOP-dominated legislature.

Beshear is expected to share his education budget proposal Wednesday morning.

Reach Olivia Krauth at okrauth@courierjournal.com and on Twitter at @oliviakrauth.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky governor's race: Daniel Cameron unveils education plan