• We all want a great education for our children, an education that emphasizes curiosity, imagination and science. Remove corporations from controlling education. Create a system wherein parents and teachers have a greater influence over curricula.
• Reduce class size to 18 maximum for elementary and 24 for secondary. What is good enough for wealthy private school children should certainly be made a priority for our public education system.
• I would provide nutritious breakfasts and lunches in all public schools. Studies have shown that children who are nourished, think better and perform better. Often, many of our children leave their homes without getting any breakfast.
• Restore arts and music programs to our public schools curriculums.
• Use nearby Libraries for Community Centers. We would not only provide books for kids but also a safe environment for community groups and activities. Social and health services should be expanded.
• I strongly support the new threshold of $125,000 income level for student eligibility for free tuition at State Community and State Colleges. Actually, Community Colleges, are progressive and seek to partner with Industry to provide jobs for their students.
• We should consider encouraging Merit Scholarships from Private Universities with endowments exceeding $1 Billion.
• I am not a proponent of the use of public funds for the voucher system. Tax credits could be awarded to those individuals taking advantage of vouchers.
• I believe in the separation of Church and State and do not want state funding of NGO’s.
• I believe in a strong community K – 12 health and education system that begins in infancy with early childhood development books that accompany new Mothers when they leave the Maternity Ward of any hospital. In addition, soft-covered books for reading and teaching infants should also be part of the “care” package.
• Apprentice programs have been neglected in our society and they should be reinstated, providing young people with the opportunity to learn a trade.
• I would sponsor a two-year hiatus after high school, similar to Americorps, encouraging all young people to apprentice in fields when they would like to pursue their careers. This program would be independent of one’s socioeconomic level, creating a more cohesive society long term. Giving meaningful work to our young people immediately out of high school , would better prepare them to integrate into society and would allow networking for future advancement. There are many who enthusiastically support this program. There are also many benefits; one would be removing socioeconomic silos, and another would be a stronger positioning for a college education.
