We need to continue to improve public education by providing states and local school districts with the tools they need to enhance the educational achievements of our children. That is why I have consistently supported legislation to increase federal funding for education. In fact, since coming to Congress in 1995 , I have worked with my colleagues to increase funding for the Department of Education by nearly 150 percent from $23 billion in 1996 to $57 billion in 2005.
Every child should be given the opportunity to attend school, regardless of income, which is why I support the Head Start Program. As its name aptly implies, this program often gives kids the head start they need to succeed later on in school and life. We must also provide the tools necessary for students to continue their education. That is why I support funding for TRIO programs. The skills acquired through TRIO courses and the exposure to opportunities in higher education are instrumental in preparing students for life beyond high school. These important programs open the door of economic opportunity to even more First District residents looking to attend post-secondary education institutions and expand their employment potential.
Difficult circumstances should not prevent talented students from having the opportunity to advance in their studies. Therefore, I have recently supported the College Access and Opportunity Act. This act protects low-income and non-traditional students by ensuring student aid is not jeopardized by the burdensome "90/10" rule. It also provides additional Pell Grant assistance for high achieving first- and second-year college students by allowing students to receive Pell aid year-round and repealing the federal rule that needlessly limits the amount of Pell Grant aid a student attending a low-cost school can receive. In fact, the maximum Pell grant award, which provides the opportunity for millions of disadvantaged students to attend post-secondary education, is currently at $4,050, an increase of over sixty percent since 2001.
I will continue to work with my colleagues to pass meaningful legislation that will not only improve our nation's school systems, but will also open the doors of education to all Americans.
Related Links:
US Department of Education
Kentucky Department of Education
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