Issue Position: On Education

Issue Position

The people of Montana deserve, and good citizenship requires, an unsurpassed educational system. It behooves us all to prioritize and fund public education.

Primary and secondary education

Two key pillars of a strong primary and secondary school system are parental involvement and community investment. Our children are best served when parents take an active role in kids' education and when communities collaborate with schools to involve children with local projects.

The legislature can support and enhance those relationships with policies that:

* Support innovative teaching practices based on the best research.

* Ensure high-quality, ongoing teacher training.

* Recognize enrichment programs, including music, art, performing arts, and physical education, as essential aspects of education.

* Ensure equal access to educational opportunities.

* Finance public education sufficiently.

For example, establishing free and universal preschool programs would give our youngest children equal access to educational opportunities--and also make it possible for families' primary care providers--often women--to have more time to contribute to their communities and participate in this democracy.

Students should graduate high school prepared to enter college or embark on a career, which means, among other things, that they should be competent communicators and have the skills to pursue knowledge independently.

Post-secondary education

Continuing this commitment, the above policies should seamlessly apply to higher education institutions and satellite campuses. Adequate funding, training and access will help Montana build and maintain a highly competitive and creative workforce.

At all levels, our schools should enable lifelong learning and critical thinking in order to equip ourselves with the intellectual tools necessary to meet the complex challenges of the 21st century.

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