Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

As a parent, one of my biggest priorities is to provide a quality education for my child. My daughter, a 2000 graduate of Evanston Township High School, had access to a first-class public education in the Evanston school district. I have always known that the quality of her education would be one of the most central factors in her achieving the type of success she wants in life.

I also know that the quality of education received by every child has an effect on all of ours lives as well -- a better education system means a skilled and educated workforce, greater prosperity for our country, reduced crime, better healthcare from better doctors, new scientific breakthroughs in medicine and technology, and a more thoughtful community.

There is much more work for us to do to build the type of education system we need here in our community, and around the State.

My Plan:

* We must reduce class sizes to allow teachers to provide more direct, personalized, and effective instruction to all students.

* I will work to create and expand educator mentoring programs that improve teacher quality and encourage the spread of best practices.

* I will work to ensure we fully fund special education.

* I will fight to ensure implementation of Preschool for All, so that all children have an opportunity to attend a quality preschool.

* We must work to provide full-day Kindergarten for our students so they can effectively learn basic reading, writing, and counting skills before they enter first grade.

* I will also work to expand After-School Tutoring, so that all students who need extra help have the opportunity to get it.

* I will work to increase the education funding foundation level to ensure every child has a quality school environment and quality teachers.

* I will focus on increasing the state's role in funding education, and reduce the reliance on property taxes.

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