Laura Kelly has a vision of education that spans from early childhood to K-12 to college to the workforce. Because every step along the way is important: a chance for Kansas to do right by our kids and their parents – or to let them down. And sadly, for the past seven years, Kansas has let them down.
It’s time to make our children – and their future – a top priority again. Parents, teachers and business owners get it. They know that great schools – and early learning programs – are the key to a bright future and growing economy.
Laura Kelly will be the Education Governor Kansans deserve.
Invest Early
In order for every Kansas child to succeed, they need access to good public schools. But more than that, they need strong early childhood programs that support both children and families, an accountable child welfare system to protect kids, and affordable, safe child care. We must invest early and put kids on the right path.
One of Laura’s proudest accomplishment is securing critical support for early childhood education programs. In 2009, she pushed for the creation and funding of the Early Childhood Block Grants to ensure that more kids enter kindergarten ready to learn. These programs help kids develop at an early age and impact their families for the better. And just this year, Laura demanded additional funding be added to the budget to support early childhood programs across the state.
Recently, Laura visited the Pittsburg Family Resource Center. The Center utilizes funds from the Early Childhood Block Grants, the community, and families to provide comprehensive early childhood education. They help prepare young kids socially, emotionally and cognitively to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Programs like this have a real impact on kids and families.
Teachers know better than anyone the impact early investment can have on kids going into kindergarten and the difference it can make in the years to come. When Laura Kelly is governor, Kansas will invest more in programs like this that benefit our children, improve our future work force, and prevent challenges later in life.
It’s really not rocket science: put kids on the right path at an early age – and keep them there. It’s how families succeed, it’s how our economy succeeds, and it’s how Kansas succeeds.
Because of Laura’s commitment and work on behalf of children, she recently received the 2018 Distinguished Service to Children Award and the Friend of Education Award.
Fund K-12 Schools
After growing up in a military family, Laura Kelly moved to Kansas for the promise of top-notch schools. And both her daughters got a world class education because of great schools and teachers. But in recent years, our schools have been put at risk.
Sam Brownback made the largest cut to Kansas schools in state history – resulting in larger class sizes, a shorter school week, and pay freezes for teachers. Laura Kelly fought back. She stood up for students, teachers and parents and worked to restore funding to our classrooms.
Laura helped lead the bipartisan effort to reverse the Brownback tax experiment and put Kansas on the road to recovery. She supported significant new investments in public schools to repair the damage done by Sam Brownback and Jeff Colyer.
As governor, Laura Kelly will make our schools her top priority. Her vision for Kansas means our schools will have the resources to provide a great education to all our students – no matter where they live. Our kids will get all the support they need to learn and grow. And our teachers will finally get the respect and support they deserve.
Parents, teachers and business owners get it. They know that great schools – and early learning programs – are the key to a bright future and growing economy. Laura Kelly will be the Education Governor that Kansans deserve.
Support Technical, Higher Education
Laura Kelly has a vision of education that spans from early childhood to K-12 to college to the workforce. Because every step along the way is important: a chance for Kansas to do right by our kids and their parents – or to let them down. Technical education, job training, and higher education is a top priority for Laura.
Laura knows that there are many good paying jobs available that do not require a 4-year degree. She has been a strong supporter of job training and efforts to provide incentives to attend technical or trade schools. She will work to expand these opportunities as governor.
Due to cuts made by the Brownback-Colyer Administration, tuition has gone up at a faster rate. As a result, we are pricing students out of college. This year, Laura led the fight to restore funding to higher education. She will work with the Board of Regents to address the rise in tuition and provide relief for Kansas families.
Improve Student Mental Health
Laura Kelly’s lifelong mission has been to do right by kids. Right out of college, she went to work with troubled teens. Later, she worked with children struggling with mental health issues. And she has continued to be a champion for mental health ever since – especially when it comes to our children.
When cuts were made to public schools, psychologist and social workers were some of the first positions to be eliminated. That had a serious impact on students and their mental health. Laura knows that students must have access to quality mental health services in their schools.
Laura supports adding additional new psychologists and social workers to assist students. These positions are of the utmost importance. Laura recommends that these positions be hired by community mental health centers, safety net clinics, or other local behavioral health partners so that they are available year-round, even when school is not in session.
We must do more for our children – and mental health support is critical.