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Quality education for all children is one of Tom
Harkin's top priorities. He is a strong advocate for early
childhood education and for making higher education accessible to all
Americans.
As ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee
that funds educational programs, Senator Harkin has worked
to:
- Bring more teachers into classrooms
- Reduce class size
- Expand and establish school counseling programs
- Make our schools safe
- Modernize and repair America's crumbling schools.
Senator Harkin also secured funding for "Harkin Grants" which
help Iowa's schools modernize their buildings. Harkin started
the successful school construction project in 1998, demonstrating that
a modest infusion of federal resources can significantly contribute to
the repair needs of school districts across the state. Since then,
Harkin Grants have provided $116 million to over 260 school districts across
Iowa. Senator Harkin hopes the Iowa program - the only one of its kind
in the United States -- will serve as a national model to provide all
children with safe, modern school facilities conducive to world-class
learning.
As educators in Iowa and around the country are facing the
requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA), Senator Harkin is
committed to providing the funding necessary to implement the goals of
this law. If no child is to be left behind, there simply must be
adequate funding for education. Senator Harkin will continue to look
for legislative opportunities to provide this crucial investment in our
future.
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