Education
I strongly support Texas Constitution's recognition that a free, quality public education is "essential to the preservation of the liberties and rights of the people."
Texas must substantially increase funding of local education budgets. Only by investing on education and by making education a priority with clearly defined goals and priorities can we reduce class sizes and teach special classes for youth with special and different needs, maintain and rebuild school facilities, which are deteriorating throughout the state, and modernize our curriculum.
Curricula should include instruction in languages, arts, sciences, critical thinking, citizenship, and the history of social movement. Students must be taught nonintellectual such as interpersonal relations, dealing with emotions, and nonviolent conflict resolution at every grade level, environmental appreciation, and vocational training. Students should be taught in the arts of democracy, including how to be involved politically in their communities.
I support expanding bilingual education.
I believe all children should have access to an exemplary educational program that values and encourages critical thinking and creativity, not the "drill and kill" teach-to-the-test policy Republicans have forced on students and teachers
I believe Texas teachers must be well-qualified and well-compensated.