Education

My plan for education includes:

Investing in our future

Illinois schools must prepare our children for the future. In a global economy, American competitiveness rests on providing each student with the best possible education. Improving Illinois's schools is my top priority. I will work tirelessly to ensure that our educational system is a model for the 21st century.

Our schools in crisis

Illinois's schools are sorely underfunded. This position has been expressed by the leading voices in Illinois, from the state's major newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune, to top civic groups such as the Education Funding Advisory Board (EFAB). EFAB recommends a minimum level of funding that is more than $1,000 above current per pupil spending. Illinois is among the 15 wealthiest states, yet we rank 48th out of the 50 states in per pupil educational expenditures. That is simply not acceptable.

Curbing property tax escalation

In the district, already enormous property taxes continue to rise due to the state's chronic shortfall in school funding. Glenbrook (District 225) and Skokie (District 69) are two of the communities most recently forced to levy controversial new property taxes to meet critical infrastructure needs. Repeated property tax increases are severely straining our community: Springfield needs to fulfill its constitutional obligation by fairly funding our children's education.

Authentic accountability

Having taught at every grade level, I understand what is needed to get the job done. There is no "one-size-fits-all" solution to the education crisis: local solutions are critical, but school boards should not be alone in their efforts. The state must provide them with adequate resources before holding them accountable for their results. Furthermore, accountability should demand more than just meeting a minimum standardized test score. It must also entail providing teachers with proper training in their subject matter, keeping class sizes at a manageable level, and preparing students for our changing world using innovative teaching methods.

Tough choices

Illinois's educational problem will not be easy to solve. Real education reform is an arduous process that demands genuine sacrifices. During every election year, we hear literally hundreds of campaign promises from candidates vowing to improve education. Sadly, though, our state legislature in Springfield has repeatedly missed opportunities to enact serious education policy that will tackle the issue. We need stronger leaders who will do what is necessary to fix this crisis. Education is an investment in our future, not just an expense, and I am ready to make the tough choices needed to secure our future.