Increase Graduation Rates and Test Scores
Decreasing Student to Teacher Ratios
Increase teacher pay
Make 2 year college affordable
I BELIEVE that increasing the graduation rates by teaching to mastery at lower levels, especially in the formidable years (K-3) is vital for the future of next generations. Do not pass students by chronological age but by achievements in learning. The enabled society that has been running the school systems, for so long, feel that not passing students can hurt or damage the student’s psychologically but in reality (in most cases, there are exceptions to the rules and these need to be approached on a case by case basis) the student is damaged more by being passed on and going to the next grade without the skills for the next grade level. Therefore, we are setting these student up for failure. Thus, we keep getting students at the high school levels that do not want to come to school, don’t value education (they become behavioral issues) and sabotage theirs and others education.
I BELIEVE we should reduce the class sizes. Also, teach the lower levels more than just curriculum: (a) Appropriate classroom behaviors, (b) enforce discipline (remove phones from the classroom setting) and teach respect for elders and authority and focus on learning basic skills, (c) besides the basic academic skills needed to be successful at the next grade level.
I BELIEVE we should increase teacher pay to be commensurate to the cost of living. This is the first area that I have taught where teachers need 2-3 jobs to survive.
I BELIEVE in making a 2 year college affordable so that students will be more apt to move on to college or a trade school. In the turn of the 20th century an 8th grade diploma was worth a lot, in the 1960’s it became a high school diploma, but today you need some type of trade school or college to compete in today’s world of work. But yet, the cost is prohibited for a lot of families and our students are not prepared or willing to continue to the next levels.