We must continue to improve our education system nationally to provide the skilled research and workforce needed to solve problems, compete globally, and meet the needs of the future.
I would urge expansion of early education programs, further reductions in classroom sizes, especially in middle schools and high schools, and making higher education costs affordable. We need incentives to attract qualified science and math teachers and to provide experienced and motivated teachers for inner-city schools.
I want to repeal the No Child Left Behind legislation because it sets unreasonable standards and punishes schools that need help most. While student achievement needs to be measured, I believe the federal government has taken too heavy a hand in that process. The best schools are the product of effective management at the local level, parent participation in the school and in their child’s education, and support and appreciation for teachers who are motivated to care through a sense of their own accomplishment, rather than testing forced on them by Washington.
