Education

We must, on a statewide level, provide our children with individual educational attention by skilled, dedicated, and well prepared teachers. In this time of globalization and outsourcing of jobs, it is critical that our children be adequately prepared to participate meaningfully in the international economic markets.


This will require them to have excellent training in the traditional subjects of reading, math, and science, but also an ability to think creatively, appreciate the arts, and express themselves effectively through writing. I will work to achieve:





  • Education focused on the individual child.
  • Adequate teacher pay so that salaries are more consistent throughout the state; recognition of the incredibly important work our teachers perform every day.
  • Repair of dilapidated and unsafe schools.
  • Small class sizes


  • Funding for statewide early childhood education for all 3-4 year olds and full day kindergarten for 5 year olds.
  • Testing that reflects the progress of individual children; performance measures based on the advancement of that child as reflected in testing at the beginning of the school year and the end of the school year so as to measure whether that child has progressed based on his or her level when he or she entered school in the fall.

District 8 has been heavily impacted by the closure of Manual High School and the projected closures of Hallett, Mitchell, and Wyman elementary schools. An opportunity for parents to have input into these decisions was limited. Denver Public Schools must listen to parents who are living with these changes every day. Denver Public Schools must ensure that the children and their families affected by these closures will be well served in the future.


Surveys continue to show that Coloradoans place education at the top of the list of priorities for our state. Voters in the state passed Amendment 23 to guarantee that the state provides at least a minimal level of funding for public education. Denver voters have consistently supported bond initiatives for Denver public schools. The will and desire to improve education are here. As a state legislator, I will work to make quality education for all our children a reality.