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This year, state leaders need to make K-12 education a priority
By Former Gov. Jack Markell (D-Del)
Governors across the country this month are standing in front of their legislatures to deliver their state of the state addresses. They’re reflecting on progress made in the past year and outlining their priorities for 2018. They’re seeking to galvanize legislators and unite them around a common vision for their state. They’re discussing important issues ranging from healthcare to infrastructure to education.
In fact, the latter issue — education — came up in virtually every State of the State address last year. State leaders made education a priority in 2017, as they confronted the great responsibility — and opportunity — provided through the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the primary federal law that governs K-12 education policy. Under ESSA, state and local leaders have newfound flexibility to leverage federal dollars in smart and innovative ways to support students and educators.
State leaders’ focus on education last year excited me. During my tenure as governor of Delaware, I made K-12 education a focus of many of my State of the State addresses because I believe that the states and countries that out-educate today will out-compete tomorrow. I’m proud of the progress we made—from increasing the number of low-income children enrolled in the best early childhood centers—to the improved opportunities for college access, as well as in new career pathways for young people eager to get to work.
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