Issue Position: Quality Education for Our Children and Skills for Our Neighbors

Issue Position

Providing a quality education for our children is one of our highest priorities; they are our future and all children deserve a chance to attain their dreams and have opportunities to succeed. Efficiencies, improvements and accountability in education must be continually implemented, but cuts to teachers, programs and activities have harmed our children's' futures. Education is an economic driver that leads to good jobs for our neighbors, and, via increased entrepreneurialism and innovation, benefits for small businesses and emerging industries. We can improve the lives of our children and our neighbors by:

Implementing a sustainable fiscal plan that provides timely and predictable funding for education;

Strategically investing in programs that get children reading at grade level by 3rd grade (a critical benchmark of future success), provide career and technical education, provide place-based learning and cultural awareness, increase the graduation rate,

Provide place-based culturally relevant learning, increase the graduation rate, and make sure they are adequately prepared for life after high school.

Providing quality pre-K programs so our children are ready to learn upon entering kindergarten;

Ensuring a strong and coordinated K-12 and university system that prepares our graduates for further education or job skills after high school;

Implementing training programs for high-demand fields, ensuring that Alaskans can get a good job.

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