Issues

There is no single issue that we must tackle to provide all South Carolinians an excellent education. I look forward to talking with you about our challenges and opportunities.

Vouchers and tax credits.
I oppose these proposals that take funds away from our community public schools and divert us from our critical work to improve public education.

Quality education must be our #1 priority.
The current recession makes that point even clearer. Businesses, private groups, colleges, families, and the public schools themselves must focus our energies on this goal.

Education is not partisan.
We do not educate our children as Democrats, Republicans, or independents - but as Americans, responsible citizens, and good human beings.  We need to join together, regardless of political affiliation, to provide the best possible education for our children and adults.
 
Responsibility.
The primary responsibility for the student's success rests with the student and his or her parents and family, and we must work for increased parental and family involvement in their children's education.  All of us -- families, businesses, nonprofits, communities of faith, and individual citizens -- share with our community schools the job of seeing that all South Carolinians have the opportunity to succeed.

Early childhood education.
Effective early investments yield tremendous financial and educational returns.

Reading.
Children must read well at least by the third grade.

High School Graduation.
We have to give students an array of opportunities to learn what they need to know to earn a diploma and to succeed in college or land a skilled job.

Lifetime learning.
We must connect pre-K through 12 public education, colleges, and continuing education as parts of an unbroken chain. Our students must develop the ability to adapt to a changing economy after they enter the workforce, and we must provide undereducated adults opportunities to earn a high school credential and develop job ready skills.

Support our educators.
We have to champion our teachers, principals, and superintendents, while reducing class size and increasing the quality of teaching and the capacity of educational leaders.

Innovation.
We must accelerate academic achievement through new and innovative approaches. Students must acquire the knowledge and skills to compete in the 21st Century world economy.

Join me in working to make South Carolina’s future a great one for all our children. I invite your thoughts and feedback.