Issue Position: Exceptional Schools

Issue Position

Elementary and secondary education is a vital service provided by our state and local governments. In Mesa, we have much to be proud of in our school system. For example, Mesa Public Schools has the highest graduation rate among the schools in the nation's 50 largest cities. In 2009, one out of every four of the district's graduating seniors was offered one or more college scholarships. The average value of the scholarships offered to each of these students exceeded $45,000. Mesa schools have been recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools. Mesa students have been selected as Flinn Scholars. In 2009, 20 Mesa graduates from four of the district's high schools were honored as National Merit Finalists. Each of Mesa's high schools was recognized in the "2009 Best High Schools Search" by U.S. News & World Report. Mesa students consistently earn ACT and SAT scores that exceed the statewide and nationwide average scores. Mesa students took 2,172 advanced placement tests last year and passed 83% of the exams with scores that qualify for college credit. Teams and individuals from the district's schools have won countless competitions and championships in academics, athletics, fine arts, and other extracurricular programs. In short, our district has excellent schools and many great choices available for parents and students. Mesa Public Schools is a great place to get an education.

As a state legislator, I will support the excellent work currently provided by our district and charter schools. I will also support statewide reforms that can continue to improve our public school system. I support efforts to improve accountability in our school systems. I support school choice and competition. I support school systems that are more responsive to parents and students' needs than to the demands of labor union leaders. I support directing more of our finite school resources into the classroom where they can have the greatest impact on students. I support removing the inequities in our school funding formulas. Our school systems should reward and retain the best teachers while providing as many students as possible the opportunity to learn from these outstanding educators.

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