Education

As a grandmother of eight and a former PTA member, Congresswoman Nita Lowey believes improving education is critical to our economic recovery and our children’s futures.  Our economic competitiveness is directly linked to our ability to prepare students for the needs of the global economy.   That is why she has led efforts to:

• Reduce class size by hiring new teachers;
   
• Provide professional development programs for principals and superintendants;
   
• Invest in school modernization so students can learn in 21^st century classrooms;
   
• Increase students’ access to safe and educational afterschool activities when the school day is over; and
   
• Increase access to higher education.

Elementary and Secondary Education

Congresswoman Lowey believes all children should have the chance to succeed. Because a one-size-fits-all approach is not effective, she is working to improve No Child Left Behind by increasing flexibility for states and school districts and fully funding the law to help schools meet the requirements and avoid local tax increases.

College Affordability

Access to higher education is critical for students to meet the needs of the global and competitive workforce they will enter.  That is why Congresswoman Lowey:

• Voted for the largest investment in college financial aid since the passage of the GI bills;
   
• Supported cutting the interest on student loans in half over five years, saving borrowers thousands of dollars;
   
• Introduced the DIPLOMA Act to make college tuition, fees, room and board, and books fully tax-deductible; and
   
• Supports increases in the maximum Pell Grant award to help financial aid keep up with rising cost of college.

Afterschool Programs

Afterschool programs give students safe and educational activities that help development and student achievement and give parents peace of mind and relief from costly child care.  Congresswoman helped create the first federal afterschool initiative and has fought to increase funding from $1 million in 1996 to more than $1 billion today. 

Head Start

All students deserve the chance to succeed, including the thousands of children in Westchester and Rockland Counties who participate in Head Start.  Congresswoman Lowey supports the efforts of local and national Head Start programs to prepare children for school through literacy activities, as well as immunizations, vision screenings, dental care, and more.

Special Education

Congresswoman Lowey supports increasing funding for the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) to the full promised federal share of 40%.