Educational Priorities

By John S. Hernandez

We need revolutionary change in education! Here is how we need to do it!

EDUCATIONAL PRIORITIES OF THE HERNANDEZ FOR CONGRESS CAMPAIGN

1. Teachers: California and the rest of the nation is in dire need of teachers. We must find new ways to attract teachers and keep the ones we have. I have inquired about the legislation authored by Sarah Reyes (Assemblywoman 31st district) and received a copy of the legislation. Her concept of dept forgiveness is something that we could take to the Federal level. This will attract more teachers. They will have an opportunity to have their student loans written off if they serve in a rural area or a "high risk" school.

2. School Construction and Modernization: The Hernandez for Congress Campaign strongly supports this concept. Currently there is a bill in the House of Representatives calling for 100 billion in school construction and modernization. I would support this bill and try to increase it to 200 billion because the future of America is at stake. How can our teachers produce world class students in third world facilities? America needs to make this commitment today. The sooner we do it the better we will be.

3. Vouchers: The Hernandez Campaign is strongly opposed to vouchers. I will consistently vote against them. I believe in the "separation of church and state". Vouchers violate that and I will oppose them in all forms. They serve to weaken public education by "siphoning off" funds that are desperately needed here in the valley and across the nation. I do not believe that taxpayer money should be used to fund private education.

4. Salaries: Teachers are currently paid 25% less than professionals of similar education. Unlike doctors, lawyers, dentists or engineers who deal with one person or problem at a time, they deal with people thirty at a time! This must be taken into account and addressed as soon as possible. Salaries are the fundamental reason why people do not go into teaching. I will address this with comprehensive legislation that takes this into account.

5. National goals: Excellence in education is an absolute must for America's survival and competitiveness in the next century. I believe that America should set a national goal to be number one in math, science and social studies by the year 2012. America must fund these goals and aggressively pursue them with the necessary time and resources. I will make every effort to do this if I am elected. If America could put a man on the Moon in ten years then it can be number one in education in twelve.