Each child's future depends on access to quality education, and our nation's success in the global marketplace depends on an educated workforce that can compete internationally. As a member of the Senate Budget Committee, I am committed to increasing funding for early education, teacher and principal training, programs to improve reading skills, science and math education, drop-out prevention programs, and college aid.

This year, No Child Left Behind Act is up for reauthorization. I support accountability in education, but we must give teachers and principals the resources they need to succeed.

I also have...

• Introduced the Master Teacher Act because good teachers are critical to student success. My bill would reward "master teachers" by exempting them from paying federal taxes on 25% of their income if they agree to teach in an under-performing school for a four-year period;



• Voted for the College Cost Reduction Act. This important bill has been enacted into law, making it easier for American families to pay for a college education. I voted for it because it provides for $273 million in additional financial aid to college and university students, the largest increase in college aid since the GI Bill;



• Co-sponsored the America COMPETES Act, which has been enacted into law, strengthening educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and critical foreign languages; and



• Co-sponsored the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act. This New GI Bill, which has been enacted into law, modernizes educational benefits for recent veterans by providing the full cost of in-state-tuition and a monthly stipend to members of the Armed Services who have served on active duty since 9/11.