“WORKING TOGETHER TO IMPROVE EDUCATION”
WORD ON WASHINGTON
November 2010

I have enjoyed volunteering in our schools for the past twenty-nine years because I have witnessed firsthand the importance of teaching students the skills they need to prosper.  Whether it be by providing after school tutoring, a nutritious meal, help with a college application, or a ride home from an extracurricular activity—we all can become a part of our community effort to create a culture of success for local students.  A partnership should be formed among families, schools, and government to nourish and foster young minds in order to create an even brighter future for our children.

One of my top priorities in Congress has always been to strengthen and improve educational opportunities for our nation's children.  Working as an advocate for both educators and students of Southeastern North Carolina is an honor.  It is especially important for our students to have support from the state and local level as well.  Surrounding students with a community of support empowers them to succeed in school and achieve in life.

Additionally, several legislative initiatives are designed to enhance educational opportunities for our children, which I am supporting: In recent months, I voted for an Education Jobs Amendment to create an Education Jobs fund to provide emergency support to school districts to prevent layoffs and save teaching jobs in North Carolina.  I also voted for the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, which will not only save teaching jobs, but will also provide education funding to our local school districts.  I also am pleased to have sent a letter of support for North Carolina’s Race to the Top competitive grant fund application to the U.S. Secretary of Education, and thrilled that North Carolina won a Race to the Top grant and will receive approximately $400 million in federal grant money.

Additionally, I am a strong supporter of legislation that would reduce class size, provide critical funds and tax incentives to modernize and build classrooms, and provide schools and libraries access to technology.  I have also asked for increased funding for the Communities in Schools program, the leading dropout prevention organization in the country.
These are just some of the ways I am working to improve education.  Our nation continues to face a difficult economic outlook, and it is of utmost importance that we work to ensure education funding levels do not suffer.  Investing in education and the future of our country is not a luxury, but an economic necessity, and there are many things each and every one of us can do.  I urge you to do your part to ensure that our students receive support from every level.  Ask a local teacher how you can become involved, or call the Robeson County Schools Volunteer Coordinator at (910) 735-2178 to find out how you can help.  Our students deserve nothing less.