Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

As a parent, one of the most important issues for me is improving the quality of public education. Settling for the best, and nothing less, is the key to Michigan's future. Globalization and technology are transforming the workplace and our kids must be prepared with better schools and better job training programs. We need to make sure our educational system provides opportunity for all children, no matter where they live.

Schools have been hit with funding cuts in recent years. Programs have been cut, teachers have been laid off and schools have closed. We've seen this in bad economic times, but even in good times. That's not the way it should be. We know that when public schools are strong, communities stay strong.

In the State House, I fought for and won an additional $20 million for area schools and over a half-million dollars for Macomb Community College's Job Training Program. If we want to make sure our kids stay in Michigan, we need to start investing in their future again.

As State Senator, I will fight for:
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION -- by creating a universal preschool program that lays the foundation for future success.
REDUCING CLASS SIZE -- and investing in K-12, at-risk and special needs students.
VOCATIONAL AND SKILLED TRAINING -- expansion because a four-year college degree isn't for everyone.
GIVING LOCAL CONTROL -- back to our school districts and professional educators in the classroom.
CHARTER SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY -- so they're required to meet the same high academic and operational standards as public schools -- because all Michigan students deserve to be successful.
AFFORDABLE COLLEGE -- through incentive programs available to all high school students, so they can graduate without debt.

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