Education

As a trained teacher, former employee of St. Paul Public Schools, and graduate of Minnesota’s education system, Amy understands that Education must remain a top priority for Minnesota. Education is Minnesota’s greatest opportunity for prosperity and economic security. It is the engine of our economy, the fuel that ignites growth and success.

Early Childhood

Every child should be given an opportunity to learn to read before they start kindergarten. This means that all children should have access to high-quality early education programs. Research shows that investments in early education programs yield a high return of $8 for every $1 invested, in addition to having a lifelong positive impact on a child’s success in school. As Senator, Amy will work with public and private partners to explore and develop funding strategies to expand access to programs for families of all income levels. In addition it is important to continue to strengthen licensure and training programs for early childhood teachers and assistants.

K-12 Education

Amy knows one the best ways to ensure our students receive a competitive education is by making sure we have high-quality, responsive, and culturally competent teachers in our classrooms and administrators in our schools who engage decision makers at all levels in making choices for our children’s education. We need to ensure the Department of Education is setting comprehensive standards, future teachers are prepared for the potential challenges of today’s classrooms, and that educators have access to high quality skill development and training that will enhance their methods. We must also ensure administrators have experience and training in fiscal management, conflict resolution, and proactive management on an ongoing basis.

Amy firmly believes we need to create consistency across school districts in the number of classes and credits offered annually, the curriculum taught, and opportunities available for programs. We need to continue emphasis on basics such as reading, writing, science, and math, but must also find creative ways to implement these skills into diverse curriculum such as music, art, design, and technology. Amy will work to create partnerships to implement these opportunities for our children. In order to achieve this we need to start having conversations with school districts about how much is truly being invested in the curriculum and educational opportunities for our children and we must find ways to gain family support in our schools. We need to be innovative and stop cuts for programs that diversify options for our children.

Amy understands how important it is to be involved in your children’s education and experienced firsthand the success families experience when they work together to achieve high academic performance. It is important to explore how to bring back liaison positions in our schools so we can reach out more often in our community and provide more meaningful volunteer opportunities for parents and family members.

Amy is committed to investing in education and believes in the promise of a public education but also favors a diversity of choices in private school and wants to further explore additional tax deductions for choosing a private school option for our working class families.

Amy strongly supports the McKinney Vento laws for homeless and highly mobile children and wants to expand programs and opportunities to decrease school mobility.