Zachary HurwitzEDUCATION – POSITION STATEMENT- ZACHARY HURWITZ FOR RI GOVERNOR
Zachary Hurwitz For RI Governor
EDUCATION- POSITION STATEMENT
Addressing COVID learning loss, Infrastructure, Affordability, and Equal opportunity
August 26, 2022
For Immediate Release-
Narragansett, RI – Rhode Island has a long tradition of providing an excellent education. During the Covid-19 pandemic however, education suffered at all levels. We need to support the recovery and help students make up for the loss of learning by doing all that we can. That means making sure that our students are given the best opportunity to succeed by ensuring that their learning environment is safe, their teachers are given the resources they need, and that they are equipped with up-to-date technologies and materials to better prepare them for the future so they can thrive! In US News Rankings, RI is ranked 49th in higher education and 25th for PreK-12. We can do better for our students!
What can we do? We need to invest in our education system, starting with our teachers. We need to make sure they are provided with the appropriate technology, materials, and access to programs that allows them to excel. This includes creating a safe and resourceful learning environment with instructors who are fully trained and fairly compensated to provide a better future for Rhode Island.
My Initiatives include:
Increasing funding on infrastructure and addressing the work environment
In a recent NEA Survey, more than 55% of teachers have thought about leaving the profession earlier then they planned. In the US, there are more than 500,000 fewer educators now then prior to the pandemic.
I will work to make sure that our RI educators are satisfied with their job quality, their safety, and that we are providing important mental health resources and support services.
I will focus on working conditions, ongoing training, growth opportunities, and compensation so that schools can recruit and retain teachers.
I will undertake a review to identify infrastructure needs and invest accordingly to make sure that all buildings are up-to-date and equipped with the best materials and technology.
Preparing for the future
I support implementing universal Pre-K statewide.
I encourage and support investment in programs that prepare students for higher education, like internships and after school programs.
I will ensure that RI provides necessary funding for special education, multi-lingual programs, and the arts.
Ensuring equity and affordability of education
I will support programs to help make up for the loss of education due to the Covid Pandemic.
I will encourage and support funding for tutoring and additional school programs to help students who are struggling and those with learning disabilities.
In RI, the expense to go to college has increased, and we have to address the affordability gap between what it costs to attend college and the financial resources available to families, even after aid is considered. RI is ranked 3rd in the amount of debt students have after graduation.
I look forward to working with both private and public-school administrators to address higher education affordability.
Education is an important topic that I will work to improve when elected. I will make sure that RI is the best State to live and to visit!
Find out more at www.zach4gov.com
Or Follow me on Twitter @zach4gov or on Instagram
References:
- https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.ncan.org/resource/resmgr/policyadvocacy/stateprofiles21/rhode_island.pdf
- https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/education