Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

Colorado funds its public schools at some of the lowest rates in the United States, and teachers here are the lowest paid in the country. Quality public schools are necessary for the growth and development of not only our children, but also the community. All students should have access to a quality education that meets the standards of today's rapidly evolving world.

Unfortunately, many schools are not able to provide modern curriculums or the accompanying technology. We need to increase funding for the improvement of our education system state-wide. New programs and new equipment are needed to train our students on the latest technology and industries, and teachers need to be paid a livable wage so that districts can attract and retain top talent.

In the classroom, we need to focus on decreasing class sizes, and ensuring that students of all backgrounds have access to a culturally responsive curriculum. We also need additional programs for those with learning differences, for our advanced, dyslexic, and disabled students.

Importantly, we must ensure the safety of our students and educators. We have seen far too much gun violence in our schools and communities. It must end. Mental health programs are a key aspect of school safety, and we need to work to achieve a quality ratio of mental health professionals to students.

Education does not stop after high school. Colorado students need affordable access to secondary education and training programs, and our colleges and universities should provide lower tuition to in-state residents. We need to increase tuition assistance for eligible college students in order to prevent them from dropping out or taking loans they may be unable to pay back. For students seeking alternative career paths, we should create quality technical programs and apprenticeships to foster life-long skills for our dynamic economy.

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