(This is a guest blog post by Rep. Tim Bishop, Education and Labor Committee Member.)
Today, Secretary Duncan spoke about the Obama administration’s commitment to ensuring that high school graduates are truly prepared for college study and careers through the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. I applaud the administration for recognizing the importance of focusing on students all the way from the pre-school years through their postsecondary education. In addition, it is noteworthy that both the Democratic and Republican leaders of the House Education and Labor Committee (Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Kline, respectively) have committed to work together in a bipartisan fashion on this legislation. They understand that the quality of education our young people receive will have a direct impact on the quality of life of future generations of Americans.
Today, Secretary Duncan spoke about the Obama administration’s commitment to ensuring that high school graduates are truly prepared for college study and careers through the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. I applaud the administration for recognizing the importance of focusing on students all the way from the pre-school years through their postsecondary education. In addition, it is noteworthy that both the Democratic and Republican leaders of the House Education and Labor Committee (Chairman Miller and Ranking Member Kline, respectively) have committed to work together in a bipartisan fashion on this legislation. They understand that the quality of education our young people receive will have a direct impact on the quality of life of future generations of Americans.
As a former college administrator, I have worked for many years to
increase college access. To increase the college-going rate of
low-income students, I introduced the Pathways to College Act (H.R.
2579). This bipartisan legislation would require the Secretary of
Education to award competitive grants to local education agencies in
which a majority of secondary schools are “high need.” Grant recipients
would implement or expand programs to increase the number of low-income
students who are entering and succeeding at college.
It is clear, however, that merely increasing college access is not sufficient. During my 29 years at Southampton College, I often came across students who were not properly prepared for rigors of college coursework. To remedy this, we must strengthen learning standards not only for the final year of high school but for the preceding years as well. Once students get into college, it is also important that we remove roadblocks that would prevent them from completing their degrees.
This past September, the House passed the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which addresses both these needs. The bill included $2.5 billion for an initiative called the College Access and Completion fund. This fund will provide grants to states and colleges to increase college access rates as well as completion. Because financial difficulties can delay or prevent graduation for many students, this legislation also makes huge investments in making college more affordable at no new cost to taxpayers. We did this by increasing the maximum Pell Grant, expanding the Perkins loan program and keeping student loan interest rates low. While the Senate has yet to take up this important legislation, I commend the administration for its commitment to signing the legislation into law.
These legislative efforts will go a long way toward enabling students to succeed in their studies and, ultimately, in their careers. Their success is vital to rebuilding the U.S. economy and restoring our competitiveness.
It is clear, however, that merely increasing college access is not sufficient. During my 29 years at Southampton College, I often came across students who were not properly prepared for rigors of college coursework. To remedy this, we must strengthen learning standards not only for the final year of high school but for the preceding years as well. Once students get into college, it is also important that we remove roadblocks that would prevent them from completing their degrees.
This past September, the House passed the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which addresses both these needs. The bill included $2.5 billion for an initiative called the College Access and Completion fund. This fund will provide grants to states and colleges to increase college access rates as well as completion. Because financial difficulties can delay or prevent graduation for many students, this legislation also makes huge investments in making college more affordable at no new cost to taxpayers. We did this by increasing the maximum Pell Grant, expanding the Perkins loan program and keeping student loan interest rates low. While the Senate has yet to take up this important legislation, I commend the administration for its commitment to signing the legislation into law.
These legislative efforts will go a long way toward enabling students to succeed in their studies and, ultimately, in their careers. Their success is vital to rebuilding the U.S. economy and restoring our competitiveness.
