Better Public Education
Investing in our children is an investment in our future.
Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed and has the right to a high-quality public education. It’s in their interest and ours too, as a community and as a nation. Students, no matter what their income, race, background, or disability can thrive in classrooms where they are supported and have access to resources to fit their needs. We must close the achievement gap and offer equitable opportunities for all students to succeed. Recruiting and retaining highly qualified education professionals is essential to developing strong schools and prepared students. We must do better.
Shelly is committed to seeing that the recommendations of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (aka Kirwan Commission), a comprehensive plan to reform public education system, are fully implemented. Improving teacher training and compensation, expanding early childhood education, supporting struggling learners, and providing alternative pathways for students who want to pursue apprenticeships or trades are the main pillars of the reforms. Working through these challenges in funding and implementing these programs will benefit our students, economy, and quality of life.
School construction and infrastructure that provide spaces where students can learn and grow by having access to innovative technology are also essential to compete in the interconnected, global economy.
Shelly’s education priorities include:
Investing in high quality, public education for all students
Recruiting and retaining highly qualified education professionals including teachers, administrators, paraeducators, and staff
Closing the achievement gap and reducing disparities in student achievement based on income, race, and other subgroups
Supporting safe, modern learning environments and facilities
Implement the Kirwan Commission recommendations including:
Expanding pre-kindergarten for 3 and 4-year olds
Expanding opportunities and on-ramps for students to enter careers
Implementing accountability measures to track progress
Support accessible, affordable, quality options for workforce training, career development, and higher education
Improving the system of educating, supporting and compensating teachers
Supporting the special education needs of struggling learners
Protect students from predatory lending and reduce student loan debt on families
Higher Education
Young adults need access and options to develop meaningful employment.
Crushing student debt burdens families and deters students from pursuing their goals. We must rein in college costs and protect students from predatory lending. Not all students are destined for a four year higher education institution. Students also need support to get critical workforce training by participating in apprenticeship programs or community college.
Shelly is also a big supporter of gap year opportunities, especially those that focus on community service, and introduced legislation to create the Maryland Corps program to provide students with that opportunity, which has been incorporated into the Department of Service and Civic Innovation, established by Governor Wes Moore. She believes that each of us has an obligation to give back to our community and supports enabling young adults to work in public interest jobs to earn stipends for their continued education in either a university or training program.