K-12 Schools
During her five years on the Corvallis School Board, Sara was a passionate voice for all children and their right to a first-rate education. She supported expanded learning opportunities, and successfully advocated for internship and other alternative learning options.
As a Legislator and Chair of the House Education Committee, Sara used that experience to pass common sense legislation-- like mentoring programs for new teachers, modified diploma standards for students with special learning needs, and strict new standards that keep abusive adults out of our classrooms. Sara will continue to encourage innovation to help schools become more rigorous and more relevant so our children are better prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.
Early Childhood
Education isn't just about K-12 schools. Early education programs like Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education and Head Start are critical for preparing our students to perform well in our K-12 schools and to develop to their highest potential. This is why Sara joined business leaders and educators in their effort to improve funding and access to opportunities for our youngest learners.
Higher Education and Community Colleges
Sara knows that universities and community colleges are the building blocks of a healthy economy. That's why she was an outspoken advocate for improving support for post-secondary education. She helped deliver the best budget universities and community colleges have seen in decades, but she also knows that was simply a down payment on the future. Oregon must continue to improve its investment in higher education so we can attract excellent faculty and retain Oregon high school graduates in college and university programs that are relevant and affordable.
Sara will also continue to be a strong advocate of community colleges because knows how critical our college system is to workforce development, and to extending opportunity to tens of thousands of Oregonians who want to increase their earning power and improve opportunities for their families. More Oregonians than ever are turning to our community college system to improve their skills, and we must make the necessary investments to support these colleges in meeting their mission.
Sara is endorsed by the Oregon School Employees Association, Oregon Education Association, and the American Federation of Teachers- Oregon.