Education
Jason’s Three Core Priorities for Education
1. Preparing our Students for a Competitive Workforce
Traditional Values and Curriculum: I will advocate for the continued inclusion of traditional values and critical thought in education. I will promote the teaching of foundational principles, American history, and civic education. I will advocate for a curriculum that promotes a strong work ethic, personal responsibility, and respect for traditional, cultural, and moral values– All while creating a culture of critical thinking and responsible discourse.
Raising the Bar: Our students are entering into a world that is ever more dependent on technology and more specifically the STEM field. We must prepare our students to enter as competitive applicants into their respective industries. Our work environment is ever-changing and evolving, and our education system needs to keep up. I will advocate for updated curricula emphasizing STEM, trade skills, and financial literacy, ensuring our students are ready for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
2. Supporting our Teachers
Limited Government Intervention: The overregulation and excessive bureaucracy imposed on our schools raise barriers to innovation and flexibility, which takes time away from what our teachers do best – teaching. The red tape needs to be cut so we can get back to what matters: educating our kids. I also believe in empowering parents and protecting their choice in their child's education.
Optimizing Teacher Support: I see the value of a strong support system for our teachers in our children's school districts. I will always advocate for policies that allow for smaller class sizes, higher salaries, and more professional development training and opportunities. By backing school districts and giving teachers more support from their administrations, we can attract more people to pursue teaching. This will in turn allow for more collaboration, accountability, and teaming between teachers, as well as more prep time.
3. Empowering Parents
School Choice: I will promote school choice. Education shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all industry, and allowing parents a space to select the best educational options for their children is critical. The world is changing fast, and our education system needs to keep up. Whether through charter schools, private schools, or homeschooling, providing families with alternative options allows them to tailor an education to their youth, and will result in a better, more well-rounded workforce, suited for the increasingly competitive environment we find ourselves in. I will advocate for updated curricula emphasizing STEM, trade skills, and financial literacy, ensuring our students are ready for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
Local Control and Parental Involvement: I believe that educational decisions need to be reduced in scope and controlled locally. Decisions about curriculum, policies, and funding can be made more effectively and efficiently at the local level rather than by federal or state entities. I am a passionate advocate for the role of parents in their children's education and support non-traditional school choice options like charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling. Parents and local communities are the ones best equipped to inform educational systems about what their children need to learn and grow. They deserve a seat at the table, and I will fight to increase parental involvement in our children's education, from curriculum choices to school safety.
Fiscal Responsibility: As your elected representative, I pledge to be a responsible steward of your tax dollars, especially concerning education. The funds we use to build an educational system for our youth are some of the most critical money allocated. I am committed to finding the most effective and efficient financial solutions in Utah education.