High-quality education and access to life-long learning opportunities are some of the most vital tools we can provide our citizens. A solid learning foundation helps children succeed later in school, helps America compete in the global market and gives all Americans an equal opportunity to succeed in life.

I have dedicated a significant amount of time in Congress fighting for expanded access to continuing education programs, safety on our school campuses, and one of my proudest achievements: a robust GI Bill for our nation’s newest generation of service members. 

As a father whose children were educated in the Commonwealth, I know first-hand that Virginia has one of the nation’s finest public education systems and is home to some of the best high schools in the nation.  In 2007, Virginia was ranked most likely in the nation to ensure a child will “enjoy higher achievement and is more likely to finish high school and continue on to college than in other states” (Education Week, 2007).  CNBC named Virginia “Top State for Business” in 2009.  This best-in-the-nation ranking was based on a wide range of factors, from workforce quality, education to broadband infrastructure.

The Commonwealth’s public universities are performing extremely well in both national and regional rankings, and proving highly attractive to out of state students, as well as Virginia residents.  In addition, Virginia has some of the best private colleges and universities in the country, and an outstanding, comprehensive community college system that provides open access to hundreds of thousands of full and part-time students and continuing education programs for adults.

However, it is critical that we work to ensure that our schools, teachers and students have the tools needed for continued success and that access to quality education is available to all Americans.