Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

As a very involved parent, I have sat on the School Advisory Committee for many years. I have seen first hand what is missing from our school system, what is utilized well and what is not. I have also seen many changes in our school system that leaves our great teachers both under paid and under appreciated. I have also been evaluating Florida's FCAT process every year and very aware of the new changes and standard core programs coming down the pipeline. And folks, it is not pretty. Simply put, we have too many legislators and bureaucrats making dramatic changes to the education process and these changes are only making it worse. I do not support this standard core agenda and I do not support testing, like the FCAT, that only focuses on a few key subjects and neglects others. I absolutely endorse higher pay for better performances in all lines of work and education is not left off that list, but how we are going about it now is wrong and it needs to be changed. It begins with each state having more control over the education programs and they should be encouraged to work better with each district and the teachers within them.

Annual wages for teachers will be one of the very first things I improve on when my 40/80 Accountability Plan frees up all that money that is already paid into the system but with that comes a better process to hire better teachers and hold onto the great ones already in the classrooms.

We must do better for our children and those who educate them and watch them every day. Something both parties promise to do every election but neither ever follows through on.

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