Angus King III is a Democratic candidate for Maine governor.

Maine used to be known for having some of the best public schools in America. We can be again. But getting there will require urgency and bringing people together in a fundamentally different way.

This isn’t just a job for teachers. It belongs to parents, communities, businesses and students themselves. If we want Maine to compete and win in the economy of tomorrow, we must start with a simple, measurable goal: every child reading proficiently by third grade.

Reading is the foundation for everything else. The science on how to teach it works. We should follow it. And none of it matters if kids aren’t in school consistently. Attendance matters. Early intervention matters. Shared responsibility and accountability matters.

We also shouldn’t be afraid of tools that help teachers succeed. The right technology, used wisely, can give teachers superpowers — personalizing instruction, identifying learning gaps early and freeing up time for real teaching and human connection. Technology should support great teaching, not replace it.

We must also prepare students for an AI-driven future. Artificial intelligence isn’t something to fear. If used thoughtfully and with the right safeguards, it’s a powerful tool. If we teach students how to use it responsibly and creatively, it becomes a competitive advantage. If we ignore it, we fall behind. We’re already behind. It’s time to move with urgency.

At the same time, we must confront what’s quietly eroding learning nationwide: attention fracking. Phones buzzing in backpacks. Social media pulls focus every few minutes. No cellphones in classrooms. No social media during school hours. Period.

Our kids now spend less time outdoors than prisoners do. That should stop us in our tracks. Let’s get them outside. Let’s get them moving. Let’s give them room to focus, build friendships and develop resilience. And while we’re at it, let’s strengthen mental health support in our schools. When students are supported, teachers can teach. Parents can breathe easier. Classrooms function the way they’re meant to.

If we want great schools, we also have to make it easier to teach. Maine’s certification system can be so rigid that we turn away talented people who want to serve. We can maintain high standards without unnecessary barriers. Let’s reduce the red tape and reinstate conditional licenses — what I call the “Cooper Flagg Rule.” If someone has exceptional talent and a desire to teach, we should find a pathway for them.

Once great people enter the profession, we must support and develop them. Teaching well shouldn’t mean earning more work instead of better pay. We need stronger career pathways, meaningful professional development and real recognition for excellence. Let’s pay student teachers so more aspiring educators can afford to enter the field. Let’s reward mastery and leadership with higher pay so our best teachers stay where they make the biggest difference — in the classroom.

Finally, we need to broaden how we define success after high school. Every Maine student should graduate with a plan: a good job, an apprenticeship, technical training, military service or college. Earlier and broader access to career and technical education is essential. America has more than a million open critical jobs right now, and too many students don’t even know they exist.

Maine can once again be known as the best-trained, best-prepared workforce in America. But it will take leadership that sets high standards, embraces innovation and demands results through transparency and accountability.

This is our moment. Let’s get back to being the best.