Prioritizing Students: Success, Opportunity, and Support

Every decision in education should start with a simple question: How does this benefit students? We must ensure all students graduate prepared for the real world, whether that means college, a skilled trade, or the workforce. That means strong academics, career opportunities, and real support systems—not just checking boxes for graduation requirements.

🔹 Strong Academics & Real-World Skills

Raise the bar for academic excellence—Students should graduate with a strong foundation in reading, math, writing, and critical thinking, ensuring they are prepared for college, careers, and life. Education should focus on depth, not just memorization.
Expand financial literacy education—Students must understand budgeting, investing, debt management, taxes, and personal finance so they can navigate life confidently after high school. Every student should graduate knowing how to build financial stability, not just pass a math test.
Cut excessive testing and focus on real learning—We need accountability, but classroom time should be about genuine skill-building, problem-solving, and hands-on learning, not endless test prep.
Prioritize modern literacy—In today’s world, students need more than just traditional academics. Schools should equip them with:
- Computer & AI literacy—Understanding basic coding, AI tools, and digital safety is essential in today’s workforce.
- Health & nutrition education—Students should learn how diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices impact their well-being.
- Social-emotional skills—Students need conflict resolution, resilience, and emotional intelligence to succeed in personal and professional life.
- Civic & media literacy—They should graduate understanding their rights, responsibilities, and how to navigate misinformation in the digital age.

We must stop treating education like a standardized checklist and start focusing on what students actually need to thrive in the real world.

🔹 Pathways to Careers & College

Not every student is going to college—we need strong career and technical education (CTE) pathways that prepare students for high-wage, high-demand jobs.
Expand apprenticeships, dual-credit, and industry partnerships—students should graduate with real experience, certifications, or even an associate’s degree, not just a diploma.
Strengthen STEM and skilled trade education—whether it’s engineering, IT, construction, or healthcare, schools should connect students to high-paying career tracks early.
Recognize workforce readiness as success—schools shouldn’t just be judged by test scores but also by how well they prepare students for jobs, military service, or higher education.

🔹 Supporting the Whole Student

Mental health resources must be accessible in every school—students can’t focus on learning if they’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or trauma.
Close opportunity gaps—whether a student is in a rural, urban, or low-income district, they should have equal access to technology, high-quality teachers, and advanced coursework.

Final Position: Students First, Always

Education policy should never be about politics, bureaucracy, or special interests—it should be about students and their success. My commitment is to ensure every student in our state has access to a high-quality education, real career opportunities, and the support they need to thrive. If a policy doesn’t help students, it doesn’t belong in our schools.