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Education
With unemployment on the rise and secure, high paying jobs on the decline, I strongly believe that providing our children with a quality education is the first step to improving our nation’s long-term economic forecast.
 PROTECTING TEACHERS AND IMPROVING TEACHER QUALITY
Teachers are one of our most valuable resources and are critical to the success of future generations. It is important that we begin working to develop qualified new teachers and to reward those who have dedicated themselves for years to the successful preparation of our children.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which I supported in Congress, will renew the federal commitment to our teachers by allocating $300 million to improve teacher quality, including $200 million for competitive grants to school districts and states to provide performance pay for teachers and principles that raise student achievement. Another $100 million will fund competitive grants for states to address teacher shortages and modernize the teaching workforce.
This landmark legislation also allocated $53.6 billion to State Fiscal Stabilization Funds. These funds will help states to combat teacher layoffs and provide incentive and innovation grants to be awarded competitively to states and local school districts.
PROMOTING NEW EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES
In today’s global economy, students are facing an ever changing slate of challenges. I believe it is imperative that we promote an educational system that can fully prepare students to meet these challenges.
In this year’s Omnibus Appropriations Act, I helped to secure $190,000 in federal funding for the Indianapolis Center For Education Entrepreneurship, Inc., known as The Mind Trust. This organization is highly experienced at developing the most innovative educational practices designed to prepare students for the modern challenges they will face after graduation. These funds will support the Education Entrepreneur Fellowship program, which provides ambitious entrepreneurs with an opportunity to develop fresh ideas and launch initiatives that will improve student learning, boost high school graduation rates, and expand post-graduation opportunities for aspiring young professionals.
EXPANDING AFFORDABLE HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
As American families feel the growing pressure of our ongoing economic downturn it is becoming more and more difficult for them to cover ever increasing tuition costs at institutions of higher learning. Unfortunately, a growing number of students are unable to complete their education because of unmanageable costs.
 I am a strong believer that by attending college,
In these tough economic times, many families are struggling and young Americans are losing the opportunity to go to college. The ARRA contains important provisions that seek to maintain the accessibility of high education for all students. The “American Opportunity” tax credit and increased funding for Pell Grants will make higher education more affordable for millions of low- and moderate-income students.
INCREASED FUNDING FOR YOUTH MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS
Studies have shown that children who have frequent, positive influences from adult role models perform better in school and are less likely to be involved with drugs or alcohol. In turn, schools are able to better educate students when they are well behaved and engaged in their classes.
I have been privileged to visit many of the Seventh Congressional District’s most successful mentoring programs and have seen the positive effects that they have on the lives of young people. That’s why I voted to pass the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, legislation that will greatly expand funding for quality mentoring programs in Central Indiana and across the
RENOVATING OUR NATION’S AGING SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE
As our nation’s school-age population continues to grow, the strain on our nation’s public school buildings and infrastructure is increasing greatly. Too many of our nation’s students are being educated in buildings that are outdated and overcrowded.
In the 110th Congress, I voted in favor of the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act in an effort to provide safe and nurturing learning environments to our nation’s students. This legislation authorized $6.4 billion for school construction projects for school modernization, renovation, and repair initiatives that have begun enhancing teaching and learning in schools in
The ARRA is also investing $25 billion in our nation’s educational infrastructure. Through this legislation, states and local school districts will have access to bonds that will support the construction, rehabilitation and repair of public school facilities, as well as funding the acquisition of land for new public school facilities.
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I encourage all interested students to apply for a nomination to the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Students accepted receive full paid tuition and a modest living stipend. Eligible applicants must be at least 17 years old but not have passed their 23rd birthday, a U.S. citizen, unmarried and have no legal obligation to support children or other dependents.
Receiving a congressional nomination is required for admission (except for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy), but it does not guarantee admission to an academy. Academy admissions offices evaluates each candidate's high school record, class rank, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, fitness exam and moral character before making their selections.
Interested applicants must submit all required materials to Congressman Carson's office before the November 1st deadline. For more information about the nomination application process, click here.
Washington Office
425 Cannon HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515-1407
Phone: 202-225-4011
Fax: 202-225-5633
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District Office
300 E Fall Creek Pkwy N Dr.
Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46205-4258
Phone: 317-283-6516
Fax: 317-283-6567
View google map
425 Cannon HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515-1407
Phone: 202-225-4011
Fax: 202-225-5633
View google map
District Office
300 E Fall Creek Pkwy N Dr.
Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46205-4258
Phone: 317-283-6516
Fax: 317-283-6567
View google map
