Cheri believes that our classrooms should be places of opportunity for all children to realize their abilities, pursue their dreams and gain the skills they need for 21^st century jobs. But for too many North Carolina children, their zip code determines the quality of their education and their opportunity to have the best possible future. 

Cheri will fight for education funding from cradle to career for all our kids. She supports investing in early childhood education, universal pre-k, and fully funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Cheri also believes we must invest in our teachers and increase Title I funding to help close gaps between school districts and ensure schools are funded fairly and equitably across every zip code in our state. 

To expand pathways beyond high school Cheri supports programs that help students prepare for college, and believes in reforming student loan programs so that our students are not hampered by mountains of debt when they graduate. She also knows that while a four-year degree might be the right choice for some, it is not for everyone. Cheri will work to expand access to community college, apprenticeships, and vocational training programs. She will also fight to increase funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs).