Education

As a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor, I am committed to strengthening America’s education system. During the 110th Congress, I have fought to advance fiscally responsible reforms to improve educational opportunities from pre-K early childhood education through higher education and beyond. Here is legislation that I am proud to support:

H.R. 1429, the “Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act,” began with efforts in the 109th Congress to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in the Head Start early childhood education program. Congress last year enacted comprehensive reforms aimed at strengthening the Head Start program’s teacher and classroom quality, boosting coordination between Head Start and state and local early childhood programs, and increasing Head Start’s financial accountability. This bill was signed into law by President Bush on December 12, 2007.
H.R. 1539, the “Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success Act,” known as A-PLUS, enhances state and local control over education. I support giving state and local officials even more flexibility to help them tailor programs to more closely meet their students’ unique needs. A-PLUS allows each state the opportunity to submit to the Secretary of Education a declaration of intent, authorizing the State to assume full responsibility for the educational needs of its students. Following the declaration, participating states can streamline federal funds and direct them toward state-driven educational programs. States must submit annual progress reports to parents and taxpayers, thus holding them accountable for student performance.
H.R. 4137, the “College Affordability and Opportunity Act,” expands college access by keeping college affordable and requires greater college cost transparency. The bill would: streamline the federal student financial aid application process; make textbook costs more manageable for students; allow students to receive Pell Grants year-round; strengthen college readiness programs; increase college aid and support programs for veterans and military families; and strengthens American competitiveness by boosting science, technology, and foreign language educational opportunities. The bill was signed into law by President Bush on August 14, 2008.

During the remainder of the 110^th Congress, I remain committed to ensuring that students in the Second Congressional District receive the highest quality education. I have faith in our school boards, administrators, and professional classroom educators who are responsible for educating South Carolina’s future.