Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

The education of our children is extremely important to me. I am committed to their success. To ensure their success, I want to make sure teachers and paraprofessionals are given the tools and support they need, and parents are given a louder voice in their children's education.

We must reduce the amount of state testing that is mandated on our children. The current state testing is extremely long and does not give a clear picture of how to help a child during the current school year. State testing creates stress and anxiety for our children and detracts from time that could be better spent educating our children. Additionally, it does not promote an atmosphere of collaboration and sharing of educational ideas amongst school districts.

We must not forget that skills and trade-based training in our schools is essential for a Delaware workforce. There are tremendous job opportunities for students who pursue the trades. We must encourage those students in their pursuit. With improvements in our economy, the demand for these positions in the workforce has increased. Electricians, carpenters, plumbers, boilermakers, welders, machinists, pipe layers, and other craft positions are needed in our State. We must encourage and not discourage people from entering these fields.

We must provide our high school students, who are college bound, with the opportunity to take vigorous courses. I truly believe courses at our high schools should be offered to prepare our students for a twenty first century economy. Dual Enrollment courses with colleges should be offered that provide for pathways in engineering, nursing, biology, and computer technology. Lastly, we must make college affordable for Delaware students. Money should not be a barrier that prevents hardworking, driven students from advancing their education.

Source