Funding at Every Educational Level
Addressing Challenges of "No Child Left Behind"
Helping North Dakota's Rural Schools
Promoting Information Technology
Support for Higher Education
Keeping Postsecondary Education Accessible
Learning Opportunities
Funding at Every Educational Level
Education funding is an important priority for Senator Conrad. As Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and a key national spokesman on budget and tax policy, Senator Conrad plays a critical role in determining funding for education.
The Budget Resolution for fiscal year 2010 (S. Con. Res. 13) sets a funding framework to support significant increases in education programs administered by the Department of Education. For example, the funding level established by S. Con. Res. 13 could support increased investment in early childhood education, Title I programs for low-income students, and innovative education strategies. The legislation authored by Senator Conrad also creates a deficit-neutral reserve fund to make increased federal investments in higher education. This reserve fund could be used to promote post-secondary education and training by increasing Pell Grant awards, providing education tax incentives, or investing in job training programs.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives reached an agreement on the fiscal year 2010 Budget Resolution on April 29, 2009. Going forward, Congress will use S. Con. Res. 13 to guide final funding levels for federal education programs.
Additionally, Senator Conrad was successful in including a provision in the Omnibus Public Land Management Act (P.L. 111-11) that will boost funding for schools in North Dakota by as much as $10 million annually. The provision allows for changes to the management and distribution of North Dakota trust funds that hold the proceeds collected from the sale of public lands. In North Dakota, an additional $10 million for schools could mean a dramatic improvement for North Dakota students.
Senator Conrad believes that in order to meet the challenges of a globally competitive society, America must ensure that her citizens have the opportunity to receive a quality education. He will work to ensure that the federal government is an effective partner in supporting education excellence by providing adequate resources to meet the requirements for elementary and secondary education under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). He will also continue his efforts to promote college affordability by supporting effective federal student aid programs.
Addressing Challenges of "No Child Left Behind"
Few federal education laws have had as dramatic an impact on North Dakota schools as the No Child Left Behind Act. Enacted in 2002, NCLB amended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and expanded its scope to set performance standards for students, school officials and educators. This was done to ensure that schools are staffed with highly qualified teachers and students are making academic achievements.
Although the intent of the law is commendable, implementation of NCLB has posed many serious challenges, particularly for rural schools. In January 2005, Senator Conrad met with then-Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings and Assistant Secretary Ray Simon regarding the Department of Education's determination that many North Dakota teachers were unqualified under NCLB.
After Senator Conrad's meetings with senior federal education officials, the Department of Education reversed its earlier opinion and approved North Dakota's plan for elementary, middle and secondary school teachers. This was an important victory for North Dakota educators who, through high student achievement scores on a national level, have unquestionably demonstrated their classroom qualifications.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act is due for Congressional reauthorization and will likely be debated in the 111th Congress. This will be a valuable opportunity to evaluate the faults and achievements of NCLB and determine the future federal role in our schools. As this process moves forward, Senator Conrad will continue to work with parents, teachers, administrators, and other education professionals throughout our state to ensure the federal government is an effective partner in education.
Helping North Dakota's Rural Schools
One of the most important education priorities for Senator Conrad is preserving the quality of education in North Dakota's rural schools. More than 88 percent of North Dakota school districts have 600 students or less. These districts understandably face unique challenges.
Senator Conrad responded to the concerns of rural educators by authoring legislation to create the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP). This landmark, bipartisan legislation was enacted in 2002. Under the REAP program, many small, rural school districts are entitled to consolidate funding from certain federal education programs. Senator Conrad's legislation is critical to giving rural schools flexibility to use federal education funding wisely. The school districts are also eligible for grant assistance that may be used to improve student achievement or provide professional development for teachers.
In the 111th Congress, Senator Conrad introduced the REAP Reauthorization Act, which he initially introduced in 110th Congress. The changes included in this legislation will allow federal funds to be even more closely targeted to geographically isolated districts and allow more North Dakota schools to receive financial benefits from the program. Since 2002, North Dakota school districts have received approximately $5 million in funding under REAP, with 74 districts receiving awards in the 2008/2009 school year. Senator Conrad will continue to fight for adequate funding through this critical rural education program.
Additionally, in 2008 Senator Conrad supported passage of the Higher Education Opportunity Act. This legislation included provisions from the College and University Rural Education Act, creating a grant program for institutions of higher education to build partnerships between rural colleges and universities, local school districts, and private industry. The CURE Act funding would also assist rural and rural-serving higher education institutions in reaching out to rural students and creating and updating job training programs in high need fields.
Promoting Information Technology
Senator Conrad recognizes the opportunities that technology and the digital age provide students in North Dakota. He is working to ensure that rural America has the same technological opportunities - especially with education and training - that are available to urban and suburban areas. For this reason, he has opposed the President's proposal to eliminate funding for education technology grants provided within the No Child Left Behind Act.
Senator Conrad has also consistently supported the "E-Rate" program, which provides discounts for schools and libraries to obtain affordable access to the Internet and other telecommunications capabilities. From the program's inception in 1998 through 2007, North Dakota schools and libraries have benefited from $35 million in savings under this program, including nearly $4.2 million in 2007 alone.
Support for Higher Education
Senator Conrad believes that federal support is essential to ensuring that quality programs, research capabilities, and affordable education are available through North Dakota's colleges and universities.
By supporting federal investment, Senator Conrad has worked to make sure that North Dakota's higher education needs are met. Specifically, Senator Conrad has worked to support infrastructure and program development at North Dakota colleges and universities. In fact, North Dakota colleges and universities have benefited from over $336.5 million in Congressionally directed spending from FY2001 through FY 2008. These dollars have supported special projects at our state's higher education institutions, and have been used to build and expand partnerships with vital industries. Additionally, Senator Conrad has supported federal programs that have benefited North Dakota's public colleges and universities with over $350 million in federal grants and contracts from FY 2001 to FY 2005.
Keeping Postsecondary Education Accessible
It is especially important to Senator Conrad that all students, despite economic circumstances, have the opportunity to obtain a post-secondary education. North Dakota has nearly 50,000 students attending the 22 public and private degree-granting postsecondary education institutions in the State. Nearly 12,000 of these students receive Pell Grants, and thousands more participate in federal student aid programs.
Senator Conrad is very concerned about the debt that many students carry following graduation. He has consistently supported increases in the maximum Pell Grant, along with other federal financial aid incentives, to help reduce this financial burden and make college affordable for every eligible student.
Senator Conrad has supported increased funding for federal student aid programs, which has resulted in a greater number of students being able to take advantage of federal student aid.
Most recently, Senator Conrad supported passage of the Higher Education Opportunity Act, which increases the maximum authorized Pell grant award to $8,000 from $5,800 by the 2014/2015 academic year. Under this bill, these grants can now be used year round, and are accessible to part-time students. The Higher Education Opportunity Act also creates incentives for higher education institutions to keep net tuition increases at 1% or less.
Additionally, in 2007, Senator Conrad supported the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. This law makes borrowing for college more affordable. The law cuts the interest rate on federally-subsidized student loans in half, from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent, over four years, and places a cap on repayments of federally-backed student loans at 15 percent of a student's discretionary income.
To learn more about the federal funding opportunities available to students, consult the Department of Education's online Federal Student Aid resource center, or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
Learning Opportunities
As part of Senator Conrad's continuing effort to make certain that student concerns are addressed, he meets regularly with students in both North Dakota and in his Washington office. Many of these students participate in Close Up, Presidential Classroom, and the Congressional Youth Leadership Program. Senator Conrad places great value on these meetings. In fact, a number of young North Dakotans have visited Washington through these programs and have returned to serve in internships in Senator Conrad's office in Washington, DC.He also offers internship opportunities in his state offices in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot.
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