Individualized Instruction to Prepare Students for the Job Market

Education is among my top legislative priorities both in my current role as a State Senator and looking forward. 

I first got into politics as a concerned parent trying to keep class sizes in my kids’ schools from growing too large, and adequate resources for education remain a priority for me.  As I have come up through the levels of government, from Town Meeting member, to Belmont Selectman, State Representative and now State Senator, my concerns about our country’s education system have broadened. 

Too many children who have trouble meeting new education standards are being lost to the streets when better-tailored instruction could keep them in school and give them a stronger future in our changing economy.  Too many of the most talented young scientists and engineers are not being given the opportunity to excel at an early age.  And too many unique talents and interests that might have a special place in a diversified economy are being ignored and underdeveloped.

The good news is that emerging education technologies offer many new ways to organize teaching and learning.  

At the K-12 level of education, I believe the federal government should be making innovation grants to states and school systems who want to test and demonstrate new education models that (a) provide more individualized instruction; (b) maintain opportunities for social growth and connection; (c) give children the chance to develop mastery of subjects at their own pace; (d) preserve teacher-student connections that foster motivation; and (e) encourage children to take initiative and develop life-long learning skills.  

When I get to Congress I will be a leader on these issues.

I invite you to visit my campaign website at www.wb4congress.com to read more about my views and join the discussion forum on Education Policy.