Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

I started my political involvement by advocating for increased funding for Early Childhood. I co-founded a small non-profit in 2004, Start Learning Early, to raise awareness in the West Metro around quality early childhood education. I was also an active member of the Hopkins Legislative Action Coalition which advocates for increased E-12 funding.

While there has been increased investment in quality early childhood programs, we still have much to do. Research continues to show that investing early in a child's education, before they reach kindergarten, is the most cost-effective way to narrow the achievement/opportunity gap. Childhood does not have a rewind, kids only get one shot at being ready for kindergarten. I will continue to be an advocate for our youngest learners.

This year the Legislature made a bold move to bring stability to the way we fund our K-12 school system. We need to continue that investment because the quality of a child's education should NOT be determined by their zip code. I will work to improve coordination between our high schools and our technical colleges, as well as Minnesota's colleges and universities, so that students have a seamless entry into the higher education system of their choice.

When our kids receive their high school diploma, they should not only be prepared to move on to a higher education, but that next level has to be accessible and affordable. We are consigning the next generation to either a minimum-wage job or college debt - these should not be their only two choices.

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