Education
As a public school teacher I see first hand everyday the need for a quality education and what is and is not working in the public school system. The schools in Howard County are first rate, I am proud to have spent my entire kindergarten through 12thgrade years in the Howard County Public School system. Public schools are the true melting pot of America. This is the one place were different cultures, ethnicity’s, economic backgrounds, and races mix together on a daily basis. This diversity benefits not only the students, but also the surrounding community.
As a father of a daughter that will be entering public school, I am vested in working to ensure that my daughter and all sons and daughters attend a school where learning is thriving and achievement is accessible for all students.
School Choice
I believe that every child, regardless of economic background, race, or disability deserves a quality public education. It is for this reason that I support school choice. This differs from school vouchers. I do not feel that the government and tax dollars should be going to pay for students to attend a private school. However, I do believe that parents and students should be able to choose the public school that best fits the students educational needs, based upon seat availability. In Howard County we have schools that are struggling and have not made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). The state will not step in to fix problems until a school has failed to make AYP for three years in a row. This is three years in a student’s life in which they are attending a school that is not meeting the minimum standards set forth by the Maryland State Department of Education. This is unacceptable. Parents and students should be able to choose the public school within their county of residence they would like to attend as long as there is available room at the school. This not only will give parents a choice in deciding what is best for their child’s education, but it will also help alleviate the overcrowding that some schools are facing. Students should not be forced to remain in schools that are not meeting their needs, school choice gives parents and students the opportunity to choose what is best for their education and future.
