| To remain competitive in a global economy, we need to reprioritize our commitment to education in America by taking on the challenge of low-functioning schools, and ensuring that all young people are provided the chance to master academics, to think critically, and to embrace new ideas and experiences.
My parents were not wealthy but they were able to provide the means for my brother, sister and I to attend college and build our own futures. When I attended the University of Texas at Austin in the late 1970’s, it cost me $600 a semester as an out-of-state student. Today, it can cost that much just for textbooks each year. Tuition at a UC campus today is about ten times what it cost a California resident thirty years ago. As a result, most parents today cannot underwrite the cost of college, leaving most students with crippling debt upon graduation. I support forgiving college debt for those students who go into public service, such as teaching or nursing.
While education is most significantly impacted by decisions at the state and local level, the policies set at the federal level have a tremendous impact on what occurs in the classroom. As a former teacher of the visually impaired, I believe the federal government must be a partner with local communities by fully meeting their commitment to fund special education programs in our public schools, providing enhanced student loan funding, modeling respect for educators and supporting access to quality learning environments for all children. |
