Issue Position: E-12 and Higher Education

Issue Position

Prior to my election to the Minnesota House of Representatives, I served as the co-chair of the Barton Open School Leadership Council. As such, I learned first hand of the critical role that teachers, parents and school administrators play in successful academic outcomes for our children. All three of my kids graduated from Minneapolis Public schools and I am a strong defender of our public education system.

I have authored legislation to increase the per pupil funding formula for public schools, as well as legislation to reduce class sizes and reign in the overuse of standardized testing as an evaluation tool. I oppose school vouchers and other efforts to drain public money to support private education.

I support initiatives to promote universal pre-K early childhood education, and increased state support for child care programs.

I am a strong supporter of the University of Minnesota and our state community colleges and an advocate of reducing tuition for our public college and university system. Funding for the infrastructure needs of public higher education institutions is a priority for me in the discussion of the state capital investment legislation.

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