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The Federal government must assure that education is a top national priority. The President’s education initiative, No Child Left Behind, focuses Federal resources to provide for the long-term improvement of our State school systems. It is vital that Congress continue to put highly qualified teachers in every classroom and provide funding to states to ensure that no child is left behind.
I understand that bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. do not know what's best for our children in Arizona schools. That is why I will oppose new federal mandates on local schools and will fight to make sure Washington keeps its promise and pays for current programs allowing Arizona schools to decide how to spend their money. I firmly believe that dollars should be spent in the classroom, helping teachers teach and children learn.
It is necessary to provide financial incentives to new teachers in order to make this honorable profession more attractive to college graduates. Some incentives that will attract skilled professionals are:
1) Expanding the existing loan forgiveness limits for math and science majors who teach these subjects in high-need schools for five years;
2) Establish a tax deduction for teachers for out-of-pocket classroom expenses;
3) Increase funds for the Troops-to-Teachers transition program to encourage former military personal to continue their public service in America’s classrooms.
I also hope to enhance the standing of Northern Arizona University, my alma-mater. I will work together my colleagues to bring prominent faculty, NIH research money, and other federal grants to Flagstaff and make NAU the rival of any University in the country.
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