Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

Investing in Our Children's Future

"I believe it is the duty of public servants to ensure that every child in Virginia receives a quality education. Not only does our state constitution mandate it, but we also know that investing in a child's education will pay dividends in the long run by preparing them for adult life and the challenges of the 21st century economy." -Senator Deeds

Senator Deeds' priorities in education are clear: ensuring access to a quality pre-kindergarten program, increasing the number of Virginia students pursuing higher education and taking care of Virginia's teachers who spend each day in the classroom caring for our children. He has fought for these principles during his career as a legislator and will continue to fight for an even better education system in our Commonwealth as our next Governor.

Pre-K

Studies show that the most critical time for a child's brain development is in the first five years, so it is no wonder that 4-year olds who attend preschool perform much better than children who don't. Children from middle- or upper-class families are much more likely to attend preschool and better face the challenges of adult hood than children from lower-income families that are unable to afford quality pre-K.

Senator Deeds is proud to support Governor Kaine's Start Strong Initiative that gives children from lower-income families the help they need. In 2008, Senator Deeds fought for $122 million in funds for pre-k. This initial investment in pre-k represents the beginning of a long-term commitment to starting our children off on the right track.

Better Access To Higher Education

Higher education is becoming more and more important to the success of our young men and women. However, due to the high cost of attending college it is sometimes out of reach for many bright young students. To make college accessible to all Virginians, Senator Deeds has supported freezing in-state tuition and fees and has proposed additional funding for student loans. No Virginian should be denied access to higher education due to the high cost of attendance.

Improving Teacher Pay

In recent years the average teacher salary in Virginia has lagged behind other states. Each year, talented and dedicated teachers leave Virginia classrooms for better-paying positions in North Carolina and other surrounding states. According to the National Education Association, in 2006-2007 Virginia ranked 31st in the nation in average teacher salary, down from 20th in the nation as recently as 2004.

We can do better. That is why Senator Deeds wrote legislation requiring our teacher's salaries be no less then the national average. Virginia's teachers deserve better and Senator Deeds has made it a priority to ensure that we take care of the teachers who are taking care of our children.

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