As the proud product of public schools, I am committed to strengthening our public education system to ensure every child has access to high-quality learning opportunities regardless of zip code. Our schools face unprecedented challenges—from pandemic learning loss to growing mental health concerns—and we need bold federal leadership that empowers educators and supports students at every stage of development.
Rather than dismantling the Department of Education, we should transform it into a powerful resource for ensuring educational excellence in public schools across the country. This means providing meaningful support to teachers and administrators, including increasing teacher pay, reducing administrative burdens, and supporting schools that take steps to restrict phones from classrooms to enhance student focus.
Universal Pre-K is an educational and economic imperative. Early childhood education provides the foundation for lifelong learning while enabling parents to participate fully in the workforce. I will push to support communities that have already started to roll out universal pre-K, like Boston, and support legislation to ramp up universal Pre-K access in every community, ensuring all families have access to high-quality early learning programs regardless of income.
Equally important is strengthening our community colleges and workforce development programs, which serve as critical pathways to economic opportunity. I support making community college tuition-free, expanding apprenticeship programs in growing industries, and creating stronger partnerships between educational institutions and employers. By investing in these educational priorities, we can create a system that truly serves all learners and prepares Americans for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
