Education

By Rich Gordon

The level of investment that California is making toward our education system is disgraceful.

Compared to the other 49 states, our per pupil expenditures rank near the bottom. To compete in the global economy, California needs an educated and prepared workforce. Our failures in education are also a factor in the growing prison population, as most inmates lack basic literacy skills.

I support increased funding for our schools, but I also favor shifting from categorical funding to general support. I believe that local school boards and local school personnel are those best positioned to allocate educational dollars. Small class sizes, longer school years, and rewarding teacher excellence are all actions that local school boards could take if given the resources. We must retain our most talented teachers, but with potentially a third of our teachers retiring in the next decade, we must also attract new professionals.

Preschool has been demonstrated to have a positive impact on future school performance and I support having universal preschool available to all who want it. Extended day care, child care, and afterschool care are also important for working parents. Schools can be the focus of care and services in a community.

Just as we should support early education, we must also make investments in higher education. We must invest in our state college and university systems so that tuition is not a barrier to those who seek graduation and advanced degrees. Our community college system has great potential as an entry to advanced education, but it also has great potential for career education in many trades and vocations, and can play a vital role in reeducating our workforce for an ever-shifting spectrum of jobs.

If we do not make education a priority and invest in our children, we put our future at risk.