Education

Opportunity Starts with Education

Education is the foundation of a strong community, a strong economy, and a strong democracy. I believe in making sure every student has the chance to succeed — whether that means college, skilled trades, or a different path altogether.

This isn’t about test scores or politics. It’s about preparing the next generation with the tools they need to thrive — and making sure educators have the support and respect they deserve.

When we invest in education, we invest in the future — of our kids, our workforce, and our country.

Education is not a place to try to save money. The reason America is on top in the world of technology, science, finance and creativity is because we invest in education from the ground up. Every American child needs a strong, scientifically supported education to achieve prosperity and further the success and competitive edge for our nation.

In this regard, politics has taken precedence over research and common sense, as well as the proven expertise of educators. Early child education experts agree that children under the age of six need to be learning how to work together and how to be a part of a structured classroom. Dive into any text on what makes a great manager, a great innovator, and a successful entrepreneur, and the common theme is that these basic soft skills are the foundation of success. The ill-advised no child left behind testing system focuses almost solely on reading, writing and math, wasting valuable formative time that could be spent learning the truly important basic skills necessary for real success. 

Moving further, our children and young adults need education in managing finances, managing a household, understanding validity of news sources and information, and accurate and uncut lessons from our history as a people

By high school graduation, our system should either provide the first basic year of college already complete, or a real-life, solid and applicable trade to let these young adults go directly into the workforce or work their way through college. Or both! I find the prejudice against trades such as builders, plumbers and electricians, versus professions such as law or medicine, to be absolutely inappropriate. In fact, I pay my plumber more than I pay my doctor.

Doing these things will require more money to improve ratios and equipment (Please refer to tax policy to see where this comes from), but will mostly involve the simple task of removing politicians from direct management of schools, and replacing us with actual educators, researchers and scientists, who are the ones who should be driving these programs.

I'm fortunate to have an inside view of our public school system, by having children in the system, through participation in local school board meetings and advocacy, and more importantly through the dedicated research and advocacy work by my wife Natalie Dorsey, including her birth your kindergarten specialty education degree, as well as our continuing partnership with Public School Strong.

This background, as well as active engagement with educational experts and researchers, will allow me to make sure our precious educational dollars are spent wisely and effectively to improve our schools, and thus ensure continuing generational prosperity for our great nation.