Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

As a former Florida certified teacher, I know the importance of making sure our children receive quality educational opportunities to succeed in life. While I believe education is a state and local issue, I have been unwavering in helping to making sure that Florida's parents, teachers, and administrators have the resources available to provide a world class education to our children. I also know firsthand the struggles working parents face in finding the best education for their children. Whether limited by finances or availability, even in the best of times parents can have trouble meeting the needs of their students.

As one who considers education a lifelong journey, one which inspired me to enter public service, I will continue to fight for legislation that creates more flexibility, and provides our state and local school districts with the tools to ensure that our future generations acquire the skills needed to lead America in the coming years. For grades K-12, we must remain committed to expanding the opportunities available to our children, allowing us to ensure a stronger economy and more knowledgeable workforce in the future. Throughout my time in Congress, I have been a strong advocate of charter schools and school voucher programs. In addition, I recognize the challenges that our special needs students face in receiving a well rounded general education. Parents and students need to be assured that we will support them in their educational pursuits no matter what their needs. By giving parents more authority in the direction of their child's education, and expanding the availability of educational opportunities for those students whose needs are not met by a traditional style of education, we can help each student receive the comprehensive education they deserve.

By helping children achieve their full and unique potential we not only strengthen America's education system but also our community. In addition to elementary and secondary education, we must also help facilitate an environment that allows our students to succeed at the next level. Helping higher education become more affordable and more available for those who aspire to earn an advanced degree, has been a focus of mine from the beginning of my career as an educator. To compete internationally in the future, our young people must be afforded the option to receive quality academic and technical skills or pursue other educational avenues to find placement in growing career fields. The benefits of Florida having more affordable quality education not only affect those who attend a college, university or trade school, but all Floridians. As a result of a better educated workforce in the future, I am certain that our great state will be able to attract new industries, better paying jobs, and stronger economy.

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