(by Patrick R. Riccards, Eduflack)

When it comes to education improvement, Virginia has gone about as far as it can using the system and structures that we have. For nearly a decade now, “education governors” have led the Commonwealth, with Governor Mark Warner focusing on high school improvement and Governor Tim Kaine focused on early childhood education. Both played by the rules. Both adhered to the pre-imposed structures and mores. And both demonstrated statewide progress in a state that closely holds its belief in local control.

Warner and Kaine did all they could while coloring within the lines. They maximized a strong state economy and growing tax coffers to institute changes and strengthen on K-12 offerings. But those times are over. Virginia educators are now being asked to do far more with fewer resources. We’ve raised expectations for both our students and our teachers. We’ve instituted greater assessments and accountability. We’ve raised standards. And we’ve called on every Virginian to secure a high school diploma and go on to postsecondary education. If we are going to succeed at all of this, we need a bona fide leader who can act swiftly and decisively, who is not afraid to do whatever is necessary, even if it means apologizing for it later. We need a governor who sees that education does not happen in a vacuum, and is inextricably linked with our economy. For Virginia, that means one thing. We need to make Terry McAuliffe our next governor.

Twenty-first century education has become all about innovation, improvements, and results. No one is a more passionate and experienced spokesman for those traits than Terry. In his quest to strengthen our economy, he recognizes that our public education system is our most valuable asset. Employers protect jobs where the population is effectively educated. New companies relocate to communities with strong schools. State bond ratings are higher when our school districts are strong. And unemployment rates decline when our citizens are equipped with the skills and knowledge to perform in the 21st century economy.

If we are to meet the economic challenges of the future, we need to act now, offering no apologies and providing no excuses. We must ensure that every child starts kindergarten with the educational building blocks necessary to achieve. We must provide elementary instruction that provides all students the core knowledge and skills for the future. We must offer secondary schools that are rigorous, relevant, and engaging. We must demonstrate that dropping out is never a viable option. And we must improve and expand pathways to postsecondary education, whether it be career training, community college, or university.

In essence, we must strengthen our P-20 education continuum, providing all Virginians the entry and exit points they need to maximize their opportunities. Schools in Russell County must be as strong as those in Fairfax County. A Virginia diploma from Petersburg is just as valuable as one from Bristol, Norfolk, Charlottesville, or Arlington. No matter where you live, no matter the community’s per capita income, a Virginia education should be golden.

Terry is the only candidate with the vision to transform our public schools into the centers of excellence every Virginian needs. Why? Three simple reasons:

• First, Terry knows education must begin early and it must begin strong. We need instructionally focused, evidence-proven early childhood education for all Virginians. PreK is not a time for glorified babysitting. It is our one chance to ensure all students have the tools they need to hit the ground running in elementary school. Those students forced to play learning catch up in kindergarten or first grade rarely ever hit their stride.
• Second, Terry recognizes that effective teaching is the core of effective education. The best instructional programs, the latest books and technology, and the smartest approaches have little impact if we do not have strong, effective teachers leading our classrooms. Terry is committed to investing in our teachers, providing them the ongoing support, professional development, and incentives necessary to keep good teachers in the profession, ensuring that even our most hard-to-staff schools have the quality teachers our children deserve.
• Third, Terry knows that education is the pathway to economic success. It starts with a strong K-12 system, where all students gain the knowledge and skills to perform in the workplace. It is enhanced by increasing postsecondary opportunities, where more Virginians are gaining a college education. And it is further strengthened with our educators and employers working together to build educational pathways that meet the needs of our evolving economy. This isn’t just about 21st century skills. It is about Virginia skills. Terry gets that and is committed to it.

As we listen to Terry on the campaign trail, we regularly hear about the need for innovation and return on investment. We need to put our money on changes that work and reforms we can measure and quantify. These are the approaches that will strengthen our economy, and they are attitudes that will strengthen our schools. No, we can’t turn to chicken waste to cure our educational gaps, as we can with some of economic and energy concerns. But we can put that sort of creative thinking to work to identify and implement real solutions for the real problems facing our public schools. And Terry McAuliffe is just the governor to do it.

Is his education platform perfect? No. If we are to ensure that low-income and minority Virginians have the same educational opportunities as those in high-income communities, we must be willing to embrace opportunities provided through charter schools and other such innovative approaches. Terry is right, we need to focus our efforts on improving all public schools across the Commonwealth, ensuring that they have the resources and supports they need for success. Implemented correctly, charters can strengthen our public school offerings and strengthen our public school systems. We’ve seen charters level the playing field in community after community, providing families and children the choice they need to improve the quality of education before them. In recognizing that our schools must change to keep up with our world, I’m confident that Terry will see that charters are a part of the solution. While charters are not our silver bullet for school improvement, they are a tool that school districts in need should have access to if needed.

Over the years, I’ve worked with states and communities across the nation on school improvement issues. In that time, I have spent a great deal of time in Virginia communities, talking with teachers, parents, business leaders, and students about what we need to strengthen our schools. The recognition, passion, and commitment for change in Virginia has never been stronger than it is today. We need a leader who will continue moving forward, strengthening our P-20 system and demonstrating return on investment for every education dollar spent across the Commonwealth. Terry is such a leader. Terry is the education governor we need at this time of both opportunity and challenge. Terry McAuliffe is our best hope for a stronger future, both in the schools and in our communities.

(Patrick R. Riccards is CEO of Exemplar Strategic Communications, an education consulting company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia. He is also author of Eduflack , an online commentary on effective education reform.)