DONATE TO AUDREY DENNEY→
Facebook X-twitter Instagram Youtube
Volunteer
Donate

Education

Every student deserves equitable access to the education they need to reach their full potential. As an educator at Chico State, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of high-quality public education. I will support legislation that invests in teachers, strengthens public schools, and builds partnerships with the private sector to expand career and technical education, apprenticeships, and workforce development. Our students should be prepared for good-paying, meaningful jobs and healthy futures right here in our district.

BETTER North State Education

A Teacher's Burden

Respecting Everyone's Work

Priorities

  • Expand access to online courses, satellite campuses, and partnerships that support workforce and economic development across North State communities.
  • Offer student debt forgiveness for graduates entering public service and teaching careers, especially in underserved and rural areas.
  • Strengthen the teacher pipeline by:
    • Incentivizing education careers through expanded loan forgiveness
    • Supporting rural teacher retention through housing stipends and mentorship
    • Investing in continuing professional development
  • Reauthorize and modernize the Higher Education Act.
  • Expand “earn and learn” models using federal grants to help students gain employable credentials while pursuing their degrees.
  • Increase access to dual and concurrent enrollment so high school students can earn college credit or industry-recognized credentials before graduation.
  • Expand access to early childhood education, including universal preschool, transitional kindergarten, and Head Start.
  • Champion elementary and middle school STEM programs that introduce students to science, math, and technology at an early age.
  • Promote the integration of computer science, digital literacy, and responsible AI education into K–12 curricula.
  • Advocate for mental health education and resources to:
    • Prevent bullying
    • Support student resilience
    • Address the opioid crisis
    • Reduce youth suicide rates
  • Ensure continued support for key provisions in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), including flexible funding for states, school accountability, and supports for English learners.

Why it Matters

Expanding access to quality education, especially in rural and underserved areas, is key to revitalizing our local economies and building stronger communities. Consider the data:

  • In California’s First Congressional District, over 40% of adults 25 and older have a high school diploma or less.
  • Only about 28% hold an associate’s degree or higher, well below the national average of nearly 50%.
  • College attrition is high, and too many young people drop out before completing a degree or certificate.
  • These disparities start early. Children in our region are more likely to fall behind in reading and math proficiency, increasing the odds they’ll struggle later in school and in life.

This is unacceptable. As an educator and policy expert, I know we can do better. Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to break cycles of poverty, promote social mobility, and unlock the potential of every person in our district.

What I Believe

Zip code, race, and income should never determine a child’s future. Every student in our district deserves the same shot at a bright future, whether they live in a small mountain town or a city center.

Across the North State, we’re fortunate to have passionate educators and engaged communities who are working hard every day to support students. But they need more than just encouragement. They need resources, policy support, and sustainable investment. When we fund our schools, lift up our teachers, and support the whole student, we empower the next generation to thrive.

How I'll Lead

As your Representative, I will:

  • Author and co-sponsor legislation that increases federal investment in public education at all levels.
  • Advocate for rural-focused education funding that expands access to early childhood, K–12, and higher education.
  • Support bills that incentivize and retain high-quality teachers, especially in rural and high-need school districts.
  • Champion public-private partnerships that build local pipelines to good-paying jobs in forestry, renewable energy, agriculture, health care, and technology.
  • Work to reduce barriers to college access and completion, especially for first-generation, rural, and low-income students.
  • Promote legislation that strengthens mental health support, digital literacy, and civic engagement in schools.

Because every child deserves a future defined by their potential, not their zip code.

Proven Leadership in Times of Crisis

all issues
Volunteer
donate
Facebook X-twitter Instagram Youtube