"Long before coming to Congress, I began my career as an educator in Hawaii's classrooms. I believe that a sound education is a cornerstone for a successful and prosperous society. Throughout my time in Washington, I have fought to protect the rights of our keiki and educators alike. In these difficult times, we have seen budget shortfalls across our nation and local and state governments. It is important that we do not let this burden fall upon our students."
Priorities
As a former teacher, vice principal, and principal, Senator Akaka has worked tirelessly to strengthen education to maximize opportunity and achievement for all in Hawaii and across the United States. Throughout his career, he has supported a broad range of efforts to improve public education, including initiatives to expand literacy programs, increase Title I funding, reduce class size, improve teacher training, and provide for safe and drug-free schools. Senator Akaka has also been a strong supporter of access to higher education and professional training.
Senator Akaka looks forward to considering revisions made by No Child Left Behind to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to ensure that schools and teachers have greater flexibility under the Act.
Senator Akaka will also continue to seek efforts to ensure that students are prepared to meet the global challenges of the future by increasing educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and foreign languages.
Recent Accomplishments and Activities
Ensuring that a weak economy does not impact students. In the 111th Congress, Senator Akaka was a cosponsor of S. 3206, the Keep our Educators Working Act. This language created a $10 billion Education Jobs Fund and was incorporated as S.Amdt. 4575, an amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 1586, the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, which was signed into public law 111-226 on August 10, 2008. Under the Education Jobs Fund, Hawaii received $39 million, which saved nearly 700 education-related jobs statewide.
Senator Akaka and Senator Inouye wrote a letter to Education Secretary Arne Duncan in support of the State of Hawaii's application to the Race to the Top phase 2 grant program. Hawaii was one of nine states and the District of Columbia to receive funding in phase 2. The $75 million award followed a difficult year when Hawaii students lost 17 classroom days, following a State of Hawaii decision to require furlough days of all state employees, including teachers.
Providing a safe learning environment for all students. Senator Akaka has long believed that students should feel safe in their classrooms and be able to focus on their education. In the 111th Congress, Senator Akaka cosponsored S. 3390, the Student Nondiscrimination Act, and S. 3960, the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act. These bills would have prohibited students from being subject to discrimination based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation.
Preparing students to meet the global challenges of the future. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, Senator Akaka has held several hearings focused on improving coordination of foreign language education programs in the federal government. In 2007, he held a hearing that examined the federal government's strategy for addressing the shortage of Americans with foreign language skills. The hearing revealed that the federal government lacked a language strategy and that language education programs needed increased coordination among federal agencies. In 2010, Senator Akaka held hearings that examined language efforts at the Departments of State, Defense, and Homeland Security. The hearing emphasized the importance of learning languages at an early age to address the shortage of language speakers in the country.
Last Congress, Senator Akaka joined with Senators Cochran, Dodd, Durbin, and Feingold to reintroduce S. 1010, the National Foreign Language Coordination Act. The bill would establish a presidentially appointed National Foreign Language Coordination Council and National Language Advisor to develop and implement a national foreign language strategy. The Council would identify crucial priorities, increase public awareness of the need for foreign language skills, coordinate cross-sector efforts, and monitor the foreign language activities of the federal government. Senator Akaka will continue to work on this issue in the 112th Congress.
Additional Information
Hawaii Department of Education
U.S. Department of Education
