Gubernatorial Candidate Has Plan to Revamp Education in Mass.

Democrat Juliette Kayyem has a plan to cut down the unemployment rate by reforming the education system. 

Kayyem, a former Homeland Security official from Cambridge, wants to change the state's approach to education so Massachusetts high school students learn math and science skills needed to enter the workforce, according to a report on MassLive.com. 

The state colleges and university should work with employers to make sure the skills students are learning are relevant to what employers are seeking.

She would also like to expand pre-kindergarten classes, which she said will help close the achievement gap between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

The primary election in the gubernatorial race will take place on Sept. 16, 2014 with the general election slated for Nov. 4.

Kayyem joins a large number of candidates seeking to succeed Deval Patrick.  Newton alone has three candidates. State Treasurer Steven Grossman hails from the city, and Newton pediatrician Don Berwick, has also joined the Democrats running for the governor's office. Also, Evan Falchuk is running as an independent candidate under the United Independent Party.

Other candidates are Democrats Attorney General Martha Coakley and former Wellesley Selectman Joseph Avellone. Republicans include Charlie Baker, who got the 2010 GOP nomination for governor, and Shrewsbury business owner Mark Fisher.