Issue Position: Prioritizing Education

Issue Position

As a father to two young daughters, Isabel and Amelia, I am committed to education reform and school-choice. Our schools must inspire the next generation of doctors, engineers, scientists, and mathematicians. It is inexcusable that students in the United States continue to lag behind countries such as China and Russia in mathematics, science, and reading comprehension.

In order for our children to be equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the new economy, we have to ensure that every child, regardless of where they live, has access to a high-quality education. We can provide educational opportunity by expanding parent choice in education and fighting for local control over local schools.

Just as important, teachers are the bedrock of our education system and they should be rewarded on a merit based system. They should be given the freedom and flexibility to work in an environment that is not stifled by bureaucracy and archaic work rules. During my time in South Korea, I noticed that teachers were treated with a degree of reverence deserving of their distinguished profession. This should be no different here. Our teachers are the solution, not the problem.

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