Transforming Public Education — Murphy for Virginia

Policy goals for

The 21st Century Public Education Act

Attract and Retain Qualified Educators: Establish a minimum teacher salary of $80,000 nationwide to ensure competitive compensation and attract and retain highly qualified educators.
Empower Student Choice: Introduce earlier opportunities for students to make choices about their learning pathways and areas of specialization.
Promote Authentic Learning: Shift assessment away from rote memorization and towards knowledge application, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Expand Curriculum: Integrate programming languages (e.g., Python, JavaScript, C#) and foreign languages (starting in elementary school) into the core curriculum.
Integrate Technology Responsibly: Leverage technology to enhance learning while mitigating risks associated with AI-generated content.
Foster Focused Learning Environments: Minimize distractions and promote focused learning through the implementation of “School Mode” on personal devices.

The 21st Century demands a public education system that equips students with the skills, knowledge, and critical thinking abilities necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

This Act aims to transform public education, fostering creativity, innovation, and a lifelong love of learning. There is perhaps no profession more than teachers(except maybe doctors) that are as important to the future of a society than her teachers. It is national disgrace we do not support them as much as they need, and we have allowed our public system to be hollowed out in many ways.

This act would aim to shift the balance back towards making our schools best in the world again.

Curriculum Enhancement:

Programming Languages: Introduce age-appropriate programming concepts and languages starting in elementary school, with increasing complexity in subsequent grades.
Foreign Languages: Offer a variety of foreign language options starting in elementary school, with opportunities for immersion programs.
Personalized Learning Pathways: Implement systems that allow students to explore different areas of interest and tailor their learning experiences.

Assessment Reform:

Project-Based Learning: Emphasize project-based learning activities that require students to apply their knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems.
Performance-Based Assessments: Utilize performance-based assessments, such as presentations, demonstrations, and portfolios, to evaluate student learning.
Elimination of AI-Generated Content: Prohibit the use of AI tools for submitting assignments and assessments. Implement detection measures to ensure academic integrity.

Technology Integration & Responsible AI Use:

Public AI Access: Allow access to public AI tools for research, brainstorming, and learning support, under the guidance of educators.
AI Literacy Education: Integrate AI literacy education into the curriculum, teaching students about the capabilities and limitations of AI.
School Mode for Devices: Create a “School Mode” on personal devices similar to Airplane Mode, restricting access to non-educational apps and websites during school hours. This mode will be customizable by schools and parents.
AI Detection Technology: Research and implement effective AI detection technology to maintain academic integrity.

Parent & Child Support:

School Mode Customization: Develop clear guidelines for school and parent customization of the “School Mode” feature.
Parental Involvement: Encourage parental involvement in the educational process and provide resources for parents to support their children’s learning such as how their School Mode works.
Equity Considerations: Ensure that all students have equal access to technology and resources, regardless of socioeconomic background.
Pilot Programs: Implement pilot programs in select schools to test and refine the policy before widespread adoption.
Equity Considerations: Ensure that all students have equal access to technology and resources, regardless of socioeconomic background.
Cost-of-Living Adjustments: Consider incorporating cost-of-living adjustments to the national minimum teacher salary to account for regional differences in the cost of living, such RW-COLA which would further incentivize the best to teach our children in SWVA.

Teacher Compensation & Support:

National Minimum Teacher Salary: Establish a national minimum teacher salary of $80,000 annually. This will be phased in over a period of 2 years to allow states to adjust their budgets.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness: Expand existing teacher loan forgiveness programs to incentivize individuals to enter and remain in the teaching profession.
Professional Development: Provide teachers with ongoing professional development opportunities in areas such as programming, foreign languages, personalized learning, and AI literacy.
Curriculum Resources: Provide teachers with access to high-quality curriculum resources and support materials.

Funding Mechanism:

State & Federal Grants: Secure state and federal grants to support curriculum development, teacher training, and technology infrastructure.
Public-Private Partnerships: Explore public-private partnerships to leverage expertise and resources.