Education is the most important component to our long-term success. The jobs killing debt deal (Budget Control Act) cuts education funding, which is inexcusable. More college graduates mean more innovation, more opportunity, and more jobs. Without access to adequate financial aid, students cannot afford higher education. Greater focus should be placed on K-12 education so that more students can move on to college. This includes increased emphasis on afterschool programs and extracurricular activities in our public schools. Teachers are heroes who should be revered and not vilified. Their collective bargaining rights should not be weakened.

No Child Left Behind does not work. Evaluating performance solely on the basis of standardized testing is unfair because it does not take students' backgrounds into account. A student without access to supplies cannot be compared to a student with abundant resources. Qualitative solutions are preferred. Classrooms should be monitored regularly to determine whether teachers are receiving the support they need to be effective.