California’s schools should be #1 in the nation. Instead, we have allowed special interest groups to dominate our public school system and accept a failing status quo as normal. In the Senate, I would:

• Reward good teachers: improving educational outcomes starts with great teachers. That is why we need to reward teachers who show results among their students in academic growth and achievement. Teachers that perform well should be paid more.
• Support innovative charter schools: there are many great charter schools in our community that are pushing boundaries and innovating in the classroom. I support allowing these charters to continue their good work, while also preserving the ability to hold failing schools accountable.
• College and career prep: our public schools in California should acknowledge that there is no one right path after graduating. We should be presenting options to students and preparing them for success, whether that be at a four-year university, a community college, or learning a trade.
• Invest in campus safety and mental health: we cannot expect our students to be successful if they don’t have safe and healthy campuses to learn in. Investing in campus safety enhancements, such as school resource officers, as well as mental health counselors and supportive services, should be a #1 priority.