Issue Position: Primary and Secondary Education

Issue Position

I come from a family of educators: My mother is a retired public school educator, and my wife and two of my children are public school educators. I know that teachers work hard and are driven by a deep passion for children and their potential. I support the hard work and dedication of teachers and will see to it that their pay remains competitive with the southern regional average.

Louisiana and the nation are embroiled in a debate over education standards and curriculum. Brands aren't important to me. What is important to me is the need to maintain local control of our schools, setting the highest education standards, and letting our teachers teach.

The jobs of the future are heavily dependent on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) skills. We cannot go backwards in the fight to ensure Louisiana schools increase attainment standards in numeracy, literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving. I support Louisiana control over education standards that make us competitive nationally and globally. When we are successful in maintaining rigorous standards, we are successful in attracting and retaining good paying jobs in our communities.

I know that the first and best educator of children is their parents, which is why I support school choice. As a father of three and a grandfather of three (with two more on the way!), I would not sit by while my children or grandchildren were forced to attend failing schools. School choice, paired with high standards, provides a lifeline to many seeking a better life for those they cherish most.

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