This is Massachusetts, the nation’s leader in education.  I believe in strong state support for  public higher education and access to pre-school education.  Effective public education is essential for our society to function.  Our children should not depend on the wealth of their parents to receive a quality education.  Schools should be places where children learn not only the academic skills to succeed, but are also exposed to various cultures, thoughts, ideas and lifestyles through the experiences of their classmates. Our children should be taught science in science class, without regard to religious views on that science.  Our priorities should be to educate all students in public schools, not those fortunate to have been chosen for a charter school.  And our schools should be places were children are not bullied.  Well qualified and trained teachers are vital to our continued success and must be supported.  I am pleased to have succeeded in obtaining permanent funding to educate the children of residents of Hanscom Air Force base.  

Recently I had the honor of mentoring Burlington Elementary student as we filed a bill that they had an idea for. Together, we filed it as a bill, and led it through the legislative process until it was signed by the governor and became a new state law.