Public education has been under attack in recent years. The right to a free and appropriate public education is the foundation of our country’s collective dream. It is the core principle of “The American Dream” and the federal government must provide support to ensure all children receive a strong education to go and fulfill those dreams.

The massive cuts to the Department of Education—including gutting the Office of Civil Rights—betray this mission. While improvements must be made to our education system, eliminating the Department of Education and privatizing schools are not the answers. Max Miller voted to defund public education while supporting tax cuts for the wealthy. Our children deserve better.

Ohio’s school funding system has been ruled unconstitutional since 2002, yet Columbus has failed to fix it. Meanwhile, Washington is making it worse by slashing federal support. As property values rise, the tax burden on working families and those on fixed incomes keeps increasing—especially in working-class and rural areas of our district. We cannot abandon our public schools in an effort privatize and abandon quality education.

When I represent you in Congress, I will fight for legislation that:

• Ends teaching to standardized tests and returns to teaching the skills and critical thinking students need to succeed after graduation

• Makes our schools safer through evidence-based security measures and mental health support

• Protects students with different needs so they can flourish, and provides the services their families need to stay in the workforce

• Supports collective bargaining rights to increase teacher pay and prestige, recognize the enormous impact teachers have on our children, and attract the best candidates to the profession

• Funds extra-curricular programs that develop well-rounded students and keep kids engaged

• Increases mentorship and apprenticeship programs to prepare students for skilled trades and careers

School vouchers—disguised as “school choice”—damage our public schools. They drain public money from neighborhood schools and funnel it to private institutions, often at a higher per-student cost than what we invest in public education. This isn’t choice—it’s abandonment.

Our education system should:

• Teach our complete U.S. history—the triumphs and the struggles that made us who we are
• Be grounded in science and facts, not ideology or misinformation
• Develop critical thinking skills so students can navigate this age of misinformation and manipulation
• Provide every student with the knowledge, skills, and training they need to pursue the American Dream—whether that’s college, skilled trades, or entrepreneurship
• Invest in STEM education and scientific literacy to prepare students for higher-paying careers in technology, healthcare, engineering, and research

Investments in our public education system are investments in the future of our country. They give all children the chance to do better—economically and in quality of life—than their parents. 

I will be A Voice for All – students, teachers and families – fighting to provide the education and opportunities our children deserve to live the American Dream.