Education

Issue Position

Helping our children receive a quality education has always been a priority for me - so much so that I began a scholarship program to help my employees' children go to college - and it will continue to be a priority for me in Congress. If the United States is to maintain its position as a world leader in business, technology and innovation we need to invest more resources in education. Such an investment is crucial to small communities like mine, in Hobbs, that need to improve their schools so they don't loose their young people to other, larger, cities.

My priorities for public education include:

1. Make Changes to the No Child Left Behind Act. It is imperative that Congress ensures that states receive appropriate funding and are no longer forced to accept one-size-fits-all programs. I will support the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, but eliminate the punitive aspects of No Child Left Behind and replace it with a fairer, more comprehensive, and more supportive system of measuring progress.

2. Oppose Private School Tuition Vouchers. I oppose public tax dollars going to private schools, but will support increasing public school choice with charter, magnet, and other public school options, as well as more flexible course options.

3. More Quality Teachers. To attract and retain the best and brightest teachers, we must raise teacher's salaries to a national average starting salary of $40,000, improve and expand teacher training, and hire additional teachers especially in math and science.

4. Reducing Class Size. Improving our education system will require an investment in additional teachers and new facilities so that, among other benefits, children can learn in smaller classes. Numerous studies and my children's experience in public schools have convinced me this must be a priority.

5. Improving the Health of Our Children. Along with education, my top priority is providing affordable and accessible healthcare to everyone, especially our children. If our kids' health suffers so will their education. That's why I will also support improved nutrition guidelines for school meals and a new emphasis on physical education.

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