Issue Position: A Great Education

Issue Position

Fixing our schools and universities

Stopping the cycle of student loan debt

Over the last thirty years, our colleges and universities have become increasingly unaffordable. In the past, our public schools were institutes that gave California's best students an opportunity to a quality affordable education. Now, many of California's young people are being forced to forego their education or graduate with steep student loans debt--that's unacceptable.

Make a real commitment to public education
* Fully fund our public education.
* Provide ongoing training for our teachers, administrators and staff.
* Adapt school curriculums to "Green Economy" jobs.
* Increase parent involvement by offering on campus day classes.

What we can do
* Increase PELL Grants for California-based students.
* Make community college free and provide grants for books and student supplies.
* Lobby Washington D.C. to relieve student debt obligation.
* Empower Pipeline Programs (Cradle-to-College) that emphasize better futures for our students.
* Establish stronger community college to university transfer programs.
* Work more closely with our local high schools, universities & colleges to create more college credit classes in high school.
* Elevate the status of trade union jobs and offer more vocational training.

Source