For generations of Americans, public education gave life to the American Dream, lifting all boats and giving hope and opportunity to millions of people, no matter their station in life. My entire family is the product of the public education system and it has lifted our boat higher than any of us ever dreamed possible.

But America's proud education system is failing, threatening our ability to compete in the global economy and compounding a multitude of social problems. Tragically, South Carolina is 50th in graduation rate and 49th in SAT scores. Our schools are inconsistent: some exceptional, others terrible; and, sometimes just miles apart. A quarter of South Carolinians are functionally illiterate, lacking the reading skills to find a good job. We can, and we must, turn this situation around; and it must be now.

My background as a former high school teacher, adjunct professor at the College of Charleston, business woman and management consultant has given me a unique perspective on how to get the job done. The politicians have had their chance and they have failed. I will work tirelessly to see that every child in South Carolina - and in America - regardless of race, economic status or background, has the opportunity to attend an outstanding public school with teachers who inspire.

Early Childhood Education

High quality early childhood education is one of the smartest investments our country can make. We must focus relentlessly on closing the "achievement gap" between poor and middle-class children.

• We must fully fund full-day kindergarten and pre-kindergarten for all 4-year-olds and we must provide standard reading and math curricula for both age groups. We must all begin at the same starting line so education can make the possibility of the American Dream a reality.
• A child's education begins at home, but some homes aren't prepared to meet the obligation. We must work with parents to better prepare them for parenting, and we must work with schools to be more flexible and accessible. We need to adjust school hours to meet the needs of working parents, and provide enriched afterschool care. We should support public-private partnerships to establish after-school community centers in school buildings that offer services including literacy classes, parenting classes and job skills training. We must link together child care, health care, education and family support services for families that need them.

K-12 EDUCATION

• Bottom line: no child leaves the 3rd Grade without being proficient in reading. Why? Because all school work after the 3rd grade is predicated on the ability to read. Children who are not reading proficient drop behind with each subsequent school day. We must draw a line in the sand, test nationally for reading proficiency, eliminate illiteracy in South Carolina and the USA once and for all. No exceptions, no excuses.
• Reinstitute the Reduced Class Size program (cut by No Child Left Behind) for poor performing schools and fully fund it. Research on the program shows 60+% above average scores for those in the program in reading, math and science. We also know that there are long term affects of reduction in class size:, including increased positive behaviors and reduced teen pregnancy.

• Make the public school a place where all are excited to attend. Oppose vouchers, private school tuition tax subsidies and other measures that drain attention, energy, and resources away from our public schools. Our job in this state and in this country is to meet the leadership challenge, and do the heavy lifting, required to ensure that every child has a top notch education.
• Invest in after-school programs with proven track records that meet measurable standards for success. Summer and after-school programs should be extended to keep kids off the streets and engaged in learning. Enrichment programs should focus on math, language arts and social and emotional skills so that all students learn not only the basics, but also character, respect, conflict resolution and responsibility.
• Eliminate the digital divide by ensuring that every South Carolina classroom has computers and up-to-date technology; and that teachers know how to use the technology.

INVEST IN TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS

• Attract, train, retain, support and reward successful teachers and support professionals. Starting salaries for teachers should be at least $40,000 across the United States. In South Carolina, our starting salary for teachers is $28,568 and we rank 35^th in the nation.
• Federally funded bonuses of $5,000 should be provided to teachers who teach in poor performing schools, and show results.
• Improve teacher preparation programs by raising standards of accreditation and standardizing the core curriculum.
• Require higher standards for universities providing Principal training. Include management and finance courses in the core curriculum. Good leaders and managers set the climate for a school. Just as a teacher is the single most important factor in a child's success, a principal is the most important factor in a school's success. Too many come in with little skills or experience in managing the small business that is a school.

NATIONAL STANDARDS THAT WORK

Save what is good out of No Child Left Behind and scrap the rest. Under-funding, uneven implementation and measures have crippled No Child Left Behind. Students cannot simply be test-taking machines. Teachers cannot simply be test-giving machines. Instead, we must cultivate a life-long love for learning in our children coupled with a sense of responsibility and pride in doing well at school. So we must test, but less often and with standardization of measures and full funding.