Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

A well-educated population is the key to having the most talented nation on earth. Today, the U.S. has slipped to 16th in the world in the percentage of 25-34 year olds achieving post-high school degrees. If we are to win the race for talent we need a long-term plan that develops the best workforce in the world.

Virginia's innovative investments in education -- from pre-kindergarten to post-graduate and workforce training -- have turned our state into a magnet for talent. Talented people generate creative ideas for companies and jobs, and great businesses locate in places where they know they can hire capable people. In order to return America to the top in the world in educating our population, we have to look at reforms like broadening our early childhood education system, creating more rigorous K-12 curriculums, renewing our focus on career and technical education and dramatically reducing the cost of college.

As Governor, I invested in every aspect of Virginia's education system. For example, I worked with the legislature to expand the number of children in pre-K by nearly 40 percent. I also championed a successful $2 billion higher-education construction bond package that built facilities colleges and universities across Virginia need to attract the best students and faculty. This ongoing commitment to expanding and improving education opportunities paid off: In 2007 Education Week ranked Virginia the state where a child was most likely to have a successful life.

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