I believe that every child, teen and young adult in South Dakota is entitled to a high quality public education. We currently have more than 120,000 students in K-12, and over 35,000 in post-secondary education. They represent our most important natural resource, and a quality education is the single most important thing we can provide to help them succeed.

I know education from the perspective of a student, a legislator, a lawyer and a parent. I was educated in Miller’s Public Schools, and at the University of South Dakota where I earned my undergraduate and law degrees as well as a master’s degree in history. My legislative record reflects my advocacy for our state’s public schools, technical institutes, colleges and universities.

Investing in Education

I see education as an investment, not simply a line item in a budget. Smart investments, timely made, save money and lives down the road as well-educated kids are substantially less likely to go on welfare or end up in the juvenile justice system.

Parents and educators can continue to count on me to fight for the interests of all students, from pre-K to Ph.D. If you read the Constitution of our state, you are struck by the number of times our Founders mentioned education. They were obsessed with it. We need to rediscover that obsession.

Step one is to change the culture in South Dakota by using the bully pulpit. The next Governor must spend a great deal of time correcting the impression given by this Administration that education is really not that important. Education is important, and prospective educators must be able to see immediately how much South Dakotans value education. If we cannot show them that, how can we expect them to spend their professional and personal lives in South Dakota? Look at the number of teachers educated at Black Hills State University who cross the border into Wyoming! We lose many of our best educators to other states because they do not feel that teaching is valued here. Money is one of the issues, but culture is just as important.

Step two is to get our fiscal house back in order, which we must do in to make the kind of long-term commitment of resources that our state needs and our children deserve. I have devoted much of my time and effort in the legislature to finding a long-term funding solution for our K-12 school systems. Starting in the 2007 legislative session, and continuing through this past session, I championed a change in the funding formula to expand our investment in children. I also supported the creation of post-secondary scholarships for a broad range of students, recognizing that our focus needs to be not only the best students, but also the ones who work hard and demonstrate potential, not necessarily reflected in academic achievement

Finally, it also means a willingness to obey the plain language of the Education Enhancement Trust Fund, adopted by the citizens of South Dakota at the ballot in April 2001. The purpose of the fund is actually to“enhance” education, not simply to use that interest for the ordinary and customary funding of state aid, as the current Administration so clearly does.

Measuring Quality

I support efforts to measure excellence in education, but too often we mistakenly assume that a successful test score reflects great teaching and learning. It does not. I am skeptical of “No Child Left Behind,” of South Dakota STEP testing, and frankly, of the recent federal initiative, “Race To The Top.” Education is best when it is homegrown and well-funded. Federally-imposed financial constraints based on standardized tests will end in failure. We need to keep our focus on our kids, our teachers and other school leaders.

My efforts have been recognized by a number of organizations, including the South Dakota Education Association (SDEA). SDEA has endorsed me in all of my legislative races, and sees me as the point-person for public education in Pierre. As Governor, I would continue to fight just as hard for our children, our teachers and our schools.