Issue Position: Improving Public Education

Issue Position

As a retired teacher, I know first-hand how important a quality public education is for all of Missouri's children. In our schools, our children must obtain the skills needed to support themselves and their families. In addition, we must teach our students how to think critically so that they will be informed citizens.

Public education is the greatest equalizer in our society. I will fight to make sure that our children have access to quality public schools and that we adequately fund them.

One of the best ways to improve learning for our kids is to provide them with a quality early childhood education. It can make a big difference for children and parents and longitudinal research has consistently proven the positive impact of quality early childhood education.

In the 2014 session I was pleased to cast a yes vote for House Bill 1689! This piece of legislation will implement a plan to fund pre-school programs for children from the ages of 3-5 who qualify for free and reduced lunch in MO school districts on the timeline as listed below:

- Unaccredited school districts in 2015-2016;
- Provisionally accredited schools districts in 2016-2017;
- All other school districts when the state fully funds the K-12 foundation formula.

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