Education

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• Education and Student Loan Reforms
• Strengthening the Parent-Teacher Relationship and Charter School Program
• America COMPETES Act and STEM Education

Quality education for our nation’s students is directly tied to their future opportunities, as well as America’s innovation and competitiveness. That is why, as a longtime supporter of our school systems, I want to ensure students across the nation and in our great State of Texas receive the best education possible.

Education and Student Loan Reforms

This Congress, House Republicans passed legislation that focuses on improving education and easing the student loan burden so more students can pursue affordable higher education.

On July 19, 2013, the House passed H.R. 5, the Student Success Act. This bill reauthorizes The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (also known as No Child Left Behind) through 2019, while making responsible and necessary reforms to the program. Local school districts and parents know best what their students need, and this bill provides states and school districts greater flexibility to develop appropriate school improvements using their own discretion. These reforms ensure America’s students receive a better education that is catered toward their specific needs and uses taxpayer dollars more efficiently. (To learn more about this bill, CLICK HERE.)

On July 31, 2013, the House passed H.R. 1911, the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013, the Senate’s amended version of the House’s affordable student loan bill which originally passed May 23, 2013 under the title Smarter Solutions for Students Act. This bill returns loans to a system under which interest rates are tied to market rates – but with fixed rates for the period of the loan. I am pleased Senate Democrats finally joined House Republicans to pass this important bill to ease the burden of student loans, particularly when the economy is weak and so many Americans are struggling.

Strengthening the Parent-Teacher Relationship and Charter School Program

Teachers and schools need our support as we work together to improve the nation’s education system and provide the best education possible for our children. Charter schools are doing a remarkable job in advancing high-quality education through innovative approaches in classrooms.  These schools empower parents to actively participate in their child’s education, offer teachers the opportunity to employ pioneering teaching methods, encourage state and local innovation, and give options to students in underperforming schools.

Much can be gained from expanding students’ access to quality charter schools, which is why I proudly supported H.R. 10, the Success and Opportunity through Quality Charter Schools Acton May 9^th, 2014. This bipartisan legislation supports the expansion of successful charter schools by ensuring more students have access to these innovative institutions. 

The charter school movement has grown exponentially since it was first created 20 years ago.  Now, there are more than 2 million students enrolled in charter schools, with over a million more on the waiting list. It is important that we meet the growing demand for high-quality charter schools and strengthen this valuable program – the Success and Opportunity through Quality Charter Schools Act does just that.

If a student can benefit most from a charter school, that student should be able to have access to that education.  I will continue to support education initiatives that will help prepare our students for successful futures. After all, our children represent 25% of our population and 100% of our future.

H.R. 10 will strengthen the Charter School Program by:

• Promoting state efforts to develop and expand charter schools;
• Improving the Charter School Program by authorizing the replication and expansion of successful charter models;
• Supporting the sharing of best practices between charters and traditional public schools; and
• Encouraging charter schools to reach out to special populations including at-risk students, students with disabilities, and English learners.

America COMPETES Act and STEM Education

As Chairman Emeritus of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I want to ensure that our nation remains a world leader in innovation and competitiveness, both for the benefits this has in supporting a healthy economy and in protecting national security. In the 110th Congress, the America COMPETES Act was signed into law by President Bush to help set the framework to keep America as a leader in innovation. The Act focuses on three primary areas of importance to maintain and improve United States’ innovation in the 21st Century: (1) increasing research investment, (2) strengthening educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from elementary through graduate school, and (3) developing an innovation infrastructure. Among the Act's education activities are programs to recruit new K-12 STEM teachers, enhance existing STEM teacher skills, and provide more STEM education opportunities for students.

Reauthorization of COMPETES is a top priority of the Science Committee in the 113th Congress. I look forward to deliberations on this important legislation. Science, technology, and innovation drive long-term economic growth and improve our quality of life. Technological progress, fueled by investments in research and development, is responsible for as much as half of U.S. economic growth since World War II. It is critical that we continue our efforts in STEM education to ensure that the next generation of high-tech industries and products are developed by researchers in the U.S. America has always been the leader in cutting edge technology and innovation – and we must do all we can to ensure our strong footing as a global economic leader.

The full Committee held a hearing on June 4, 2013 on the Administration’s proposed STEM Re-Organization.  For more information about this topic, CLICK HERE.  For more information on STEM topics, CLICK HERE.

Education is also a top priority for the Republican Leadership in the House. The Education and the Workforce Committee will take the lead on reforms to improve our Nation's K-12 and higher education programs, and ensure that families have access to quality and affordable education that their children need.

I will also work to ensure that decisions about education are made primarily at the local level rather than by the federal government. Parents and administrators know best what their students need, and I support their efforts.