Education

As the son of a school teacher, the value of a strong education was instilled in me at an early age.  Today, my wife and I work hard to pass along this value to our three children, who all attend public schools in Glens Falls.  We understand that the path to better opportunities, a healthy economy, and a stronger America must begin with a solid education.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has provided critical funds for our local schools to bolster our children’s education, prevent layoffs, and help hold the line on property taxes.  As our country continues to work through the greatest economic crisis of a generation, we cannot lose sight of our responsibility to prepare future generations to compete in the global economy. 

Reforming Elementary School Education

I believe that we need to strengthen science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education in our K-12 system so that we can train the next generation of innovators who will develop the technologies that will shape our future.  Congress must partner with our local schools and provide the necessary federal support to our education system so that communities across the 20th District can prepare our young minds to tackle these great challenges.

I support efforts to reform No Child Left Behind to ensure that our schools have the resources they need to teach effectively and the flexibility to educate our children rather than worrying about teaching to one size fits all tests.  Additionally, by implementing creative solutions, such as those found in the Race to the Top program, we can allow states to compete for additional federal funds if they demonstrate how they will advance student achievement.  This will drive innovation and help turn around struggling schools.

Increasing Access to Higher Education

To help train the next generation of innovators and cultivate a highly-skilled workforce, I am proud that I helped pass The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which will strengthen and streamline our college financial aid system and make federal loans more affordable for middle class families.  The legislation will increase access to early childhood education, provide additional funding for degree and certificate programs at our community colleges, and dramatically increase the Pell Grant award.

By providing necessary support for our education system we will not only create better outcomes for our children, but we will also strengthen our communities.  Like many of you, my wife and I want our children to receive a quality education and find good jobs right here in Upstate New York.  By investing in our children’s education will we strengthen our economy here at home and ensure that Upstate New York remains competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.