Issue Position: Fix the Schools

Issue Position

Reform Education
Our education system is a monopolistic mess. Despite spending $14k per student, per year and the efforts of our passionate, hardworking teachers, our children are uninspired and one out four doesn't graduate. That is unacceptable.

The strategy has been to throw more money at a broken system rather than to innovate and improve the system. This is because we have an education monopoly. Government and special interests have a stranglehold on our education system. This is harming students, teachers and our communities.

We need to increase freedom of choice and opportunity in our schools system and put the power back in the hands of local communities and parents.

We need to bring common sense and ingenuity back into the classroom:

* We need to bring back charter schools, under the management of a locally elected school board.
* We need to eliminate common core in our state.
* We need to bring innovation into the classroom through programs like STEM ( Science engineering and math) and increased technical education starting sophomore year.
* We need to decrease licensing requirements and allow professionals to teach in the classroom, offering their practical experience.
* We need to make sure great teachers are compensated and rewarded and pay is based on performance not just time served. Increased competition would increase demand for great teachers and increased demand means increased compensation.

We live in one of the most innovative and vibrant states in the nation. Washington should lead this nation in education reform and excellence. But to do that, we have to take some chances and it can be scary. Choice and competition inspire excellence. While education certainly must be funded, that is not addressing the real problem. Let's take a chance for our kids.
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When elected, I will work to revolutionize education in our state. I will work for teachers, students and families.

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