Virginia has been recognized as the best place to raise a child due to the available opportunities for future success. Senator Saslaw believes that a strong public education system is the key to a productive workforce and a strong economy. Dick Saslaw supported increased funding for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs in local schools in order to prepare Virginia’s students for the careers of the 21st Century. He has worked for smaller class sizes, state-of-the-art classroom technology, and more funding for school construction. Senator Saslaw has also worked closely with his Democratic colleagues and the Governor to increase pay for Virginia teachers.
Saslaw believes that appropriate funding for public education is a core responsibility of state government. In the Senate, he has protected K-12 schools from reckless cuts. Recognizing the value of early education, Dick supports funding for pre-K learning. The Senator continues working to ensure that every Virginian can have a quality education that is affordable and accessible. In Richmond, Dick has supported legislation to provide resources to help Virginia students navigate loan debt and plot a successful financial trajectory after receiving their degrees. He’s also worked to develop new post-secondary pathways, like workforce credentials, for Virginians who aspire to build a career and earn a family-sustaining wage. Above all, he believes that investing in our world-class education system, workforce development pipeline, and institutions of higher education produces the best return on investment for Virginia.
Senator Saslaw has been previously honored as “Legislator of the Year” by the non-partisan Virginia Education Association for his commitment to improving education.