Strengthening our schools

By Rob Teplitz

As State Senator, Rob will improve the system of funding public education in the Commonwealth so that it is equitable, stable, fiscally responsible, accountable, transparent, and in the best interest of all stakeholders. At the basic education level, he believes that Pennsylvania must focus on targeted investments in proven reforms like early childhood education, smaller class sizes, tutoring, and before- and after-school programs. The creation and maintenance of modern, safe, and healthy schools must also be a priority.

At the post-secondary level, Rob will make higher education affordable for Pennsylvania students who attend Pennsylvania schools. In particular, he will promote a program modeled after the successful HOPE Scholarship Program in Georgia, which would pay tuition at state-owned universities for all students who graduate from high school with at least a 3.0 grade point average. Students choosing to attend other colleges and universities, community colleges, or vocational-technical schools would also be eligible. In addition to creating a highly educated and trained workforce, this would stop the "brain drain" problem and help keep our best resources - our young people - here in Pennsylvania.