Education
Whether we’re dealing with hate and bigotry or trying to build an economy that works for everyone — everything comes back to education. As a first generation student myself and a University of Oregon alumnus, I know that prioritizing lifelong learning can be revolutionary. I believe that alongside educators, faculty, parents, and students, we can build a more fair and comprehensive system that provides equitable opportunities. This requires an accessible, affordable, and engaging education system from pre-school to higher education. In Congress, I will advocate for:
- Universal access to high-quality pre-kindergarten programs, ensuring that every child has access to early education. I will support initiatives that provide resources and funding to improve early childhood education facilities and training for educators.
- Increased funding for K-12 public schools, particularly those in underserved communities, to ensure equitable resources for all students. This will help reduce class sizes, increase teacher and faculty pay, and allow administrators to invest in comprehensive education programs that address diverse learning needs. When teachers, faculty, and administrators have the resources they need to succeed, we can attract and retain talented educators and faculty and ensure student success.
- Making higher education more accessible and affordable, including proposals for tuition-free community college and public universities for eligible students. I will support legislation to alleviate student debt burdens by offering refinancing options, loan forgiveness programs, and increased financial aid opportunities. By increasing funding for need-based aid, the Pell Grant, and federally subsidized loans we can shift back to grant- funded education that supports students instead of private financial institutions.
- Support early intervention programs like to remove the barriers that prevent people from accessing education. Programs like GEAR UP and TRIO help first generation students access higher education. By increasing funding to these programs and for need-based aid, we can get eager students into classrooms.
- Increased funding for vocational and technical education programs, to ensure every student has the opportunity to leave the classroom confident, and with the skills for our nation’s most in-demand careers. I will also support legislation that forges partnerships between educational institutions and industries to provide hands-on training and apprenticeships in various vocational fields.
- Creating safe learning environments. Whether it’s fighting against discrimination in schools through inclusive and diverse learning environments, or tackling the epidemic of gun violence — schools should be a safe place for students.