Education

By Laura Dickson

Rep. Boback agreed to a budget that does little to help K-12 education by creating larger class sizes, forcing taxpayers to owe even more in property taxes while still eliminating 14,000 teaching jobs across the state.

I believe in an "all of the above" policy which would help students choose their own path in life whether that leads to technical school, college, the military, or directly into the workforce. Working with potential employers, our curriculum must be aligned with the requirements of a high tech, high skill society. Having more class options available in high school will help students prepare for the next stage in their life.

At the same time, we must make sure that college and technical school are affordable for all by not only increasing direct investment but also by providing grants and loans to deserving students. No student should be denied access to school due to a question of money.

It is crucial to provide the proper funding to those who hold the keys to our state's future. We cannot continue to watch as young Pennsylvanians graduate high school only to leave the state a short time after. The trend must be reversed and it must be done quickly.