Education

Now, more than ever, getting a high quality education is essential for success.  A college degree is increasingly necessary for access to high-paying jobs, and an educated workforce is essential for the United States to remain competitive in a global economy in which technology is playing a bigger and bigger role.  That’s why I support efforts to make college more affordable through slowing the runaway inflation of tuition, funding Pell grants, and providing affordable student loans.

The federal government’s role in our elementary and secondary education system has never been more important.  Our public education system provides for the economic mobility we think of as the American Dream.  There are, however, improvements we must make to ensure that our students receive a high-quality education from high-quality teachers.  We should work to incentivize current graduates to become teachers and ensure they receive the training to make them effective in the classroom.  In addition, we have to hold our teachers and schools accountable for student performance, and make room for innovative approaches like those employed by magnet and charter schools.

Research shows that early investments in education show big returns in later years.  That is why I support increased funding for Head Start and ensuring that every child receives a high-quality preschool education.  This is proven to close the achievement gap and help prepare all students for success in kindergarten and elementary school.

I voted for H.R. 1911, the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013, because I believe that college students need affordable student loans to ensure they have access to higher education.  I voted against H.R. 5, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, because it cut education funding and reduced accountability for teachers and schools.  We have to find bipartisan agreement on our fiscal challenges, but funding high-quality education should always remain a priority.