Education
The Time is Now for Education Reform
Senator Begich believes our schools must provide Alaska’s children the education necessary to become leaders and highly skilled workers ready to compete in the global economy. To help achieve this important goal, he is contributing to the Senate’s work on education reform.
Much of the current law, known as No Child Left Behind, is a poor fit for Alaska. In too many cases it has tied teachers’ and administrators’ hands and punished schools when they needed help the most. While Senator Begich will always support accountability and high expectations for each student, we need reform that restores local and parental control and recognizes Alaska’s unique geography, weather, cultures, languages, and workforce. Meaningful reform will foster innovation and prepare students for success in all Alaska schools.
Education Reform That Works for Alaska
To see the senator’s specific suggestions for the reform bill, read his memo to Senator Tom Harkin, chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
Other Education Priorities
To outline his overall education priorities for Alaska and the nation, he wrote this separate letter to Senator Harkin.
Funding that is Realistic, Consistent and Adequate:
The brightest new ideas and best innovations are only as good as our commitment to full and adequate funding of our nation’s schools.
Support Programs for Alaska Natives and Other Indigenous Americans:
We must strengthen organizations working to improve education for America’s first peoples.
A Strong Commitment to Early Learning:
Research confirms what common sense has told us for generations: there are enormous benefits when students arrive in kindergarten ready to learn.
High Expectations for Every Student:
While designing a more flexible and nuanced approach to student achievement we must set high standards and demand results and accountability. Students will rise to the occasion.
Expanded Support for Teachers in Underserved Areas:
We know experienced, committed and creative teachers make all the difference in student learning.
Safe Schools and Students Who Are Healthy and Ready To Learn:
Schools must offer healthy and safe learning environments. Senator Begich supports more physical activity and the increased availability of nutritious foods and meals in schools.
Education Bills
A solid education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is essential preparation for all students – in order to help them succeed and to keep our nation competitive. Senator Begich introduced S.463, the Effective STEM Teaching and Learning Act to help teachers prepare our students to meet the challenges of this century.
More Detail on Education Reform
From the U.S. Department of Education: A Blueprint for Reform: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/blueprint/blueprint.pdf
Research from the U.S. Department of Education supporting reform:
Recent Legislation
112th Congress
Sponsored Legislation
Effective STEM Teaching and Learning Act of 2011 – S. 463 (March 2011: Referred to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) The bill would establish a competitive grant program to encourage K-12 schools education in mathematics, science, technology and engineering.
Co-Sponsored Legislation
Pharmacist Student Loan Repayment Eligibility Act of 2011 – S. 48 (January 2011: Referred to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) This bill would make pharmacists eligible for educational loan repayment through the National Health Service Corps in exchange for service in a health professional shortage area, including rural Alaska.
Prescribe a Book Act – S. 393 (February 2011: Referred to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) This bill would create matching grants to non-profit organizations setting up literacy programs distributing books and advice for reading through health care providers’ offices.
Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2011 – S. 555 (March 2011: Referred to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) This bill would protect public school students from being excluded from or subject to discrimination on the basis of their perceived sexual orientation and gender identity.
Rural Education Achievement Program Reauthorization Act of 2011 - S.567 (March 2011: Referred to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) This bill would reform the Rural Education Initiative to make grants more targeted at rural districts.
Educational Success for Children and Youth Without Homes Act of 2011 - S.571 (March :2011 Referred to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) This bill would provide additional federal grants, guidelines, and resources to assist in educating homeless youth.
Impact Aid Timely Repayment Act of 2011 - S.595 (March 2011: Referred to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) This bill would ensure that the Department of Education gives out Impact Aid payments on a more timely basis.
Innovation Inspiration School Grant Program Act – S. 716 (April 2011: Referred to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) This bill would provide grants to encourage innovative education in K-12 schools in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as broaden secondary school students’ access to and knowledge of careers in these fields.
Legislation to Extend School Construction Bonds - S.796 (April 2011: Referred to Senate Committee on Finance) A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code to extend qualified school construction bonds and qualified zone academy bonds, to treat qualified zone academy bonds as specific tax credit bonds, and to modify the private business contribution requirement for qualified zone academy bonds.
Videos
ABC Alaska covers Sen. Begich's ongoing effort to overhaul the No Child Left Behind Act. In February Sen. Begich announced he is reintroducing his education legislation designed to promote science, technology, engineering, and math while speaking to the Alaska Society for Technology in Education, at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage.
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DC Staff Contact
Prue Fitzpatrick
Legislative Assistant
(202) 224-3004
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DC Staff Contact
Katie Geldaker
Legislative Correspondent
(202) 224-3004
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| 9/21/12 | The Begich Minute: Rose Urban Rural Exchange |
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| 6/7/12 | Begich Introduces Rural Teacher Housing Bill  |
| 6/6/12 | Begich Discusses Cost of Higher Education with Alaska Expert |
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| 5/9/12 | Sen. Begich Welcomes Summer Interns to Alaska, DC Offices |
| 5/8/12 | Begich Votes to Support Students Seeking Affordable Education |
