RESPECT TEACHERS IMPROVE EDUCATION

Teachers should be supported, trusted, and treated like professionals.

Provide competitive pay and benefits to retain teachers.

Increase salaries, protect pensions, stop vouchers, and improve healthcare so educators can afford to stay in the classroom and schools can attract talent.

Reduce class sizes and expand support staff.

Hire more teachers, aides, counselors, nurses, and specialists so students receive attention and educators can focus on teaching.

Cut excessive testing and paperwork requirements.

Streamline mandates so teachers spend more time on instruction and student support instead of standardized tests and administrative tasks.

Protect academic freedom and classroom independence.

Safeguard educators from political interference and respect collective bargaining so teachers have a professional voice in decisions.

Fully fund special education at the promised federal level.

Meet the 40 percent IDEA commitment so districts are not forced to cut general education programs to cover legally required services.