Education
The public education system has provided generations of Americans with the skills needed to make the United States the world’s leading innovator of the past century. As a member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, I want to ensure our children and grandchildren can continue to have access to the highest quality public education, preparing them to be competitive in today’s globalized economy.
I am committed to investing in education to provide future generations with the tools they need to become leaders. I support efforts to modernize our classrooms, reduce class sizes, enhance special education programs, provide students with access to affordable higher education opportunities, and ensure America has the best-trained and most qualified teachers. I believe investing in the public education system is one of the best ways to help America become more productive and competitive.
Pre-K education is vital to our children’s cognitive development and I support the efforts to supply pre-K education to all 4-year-olds, in families at or below 200% of the poverty line, through local school districts as well as other local partners. Making pre-K education more accessible will allow our children to thrive in our nation’s educational system.
College can open up many opportunities and I believe we have a responsibility to make higher education affordable for our next generation. Unfortunately, a quality, affordable college education is growing further out of reach for too many in this country. Currently in Wisconsin, the average student debt amounts to more than $26,000, and total student debt in this country now tops $1 trillion. This rising student debt is due to increasing tuition costs, out of control interest rates, and the difficult job market facing recent graduates. While students struggle to make loan payments, they are prevented from actively contributing to our economy. This is why I introduced the Student Loan Refinance Bill. This legislation would allow nearly 40 million Americans to refinance their federal student loans, freeing up funds to buy a house, get a new car, support a family, and pursue greater economic opportunities.
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More on Education
MADISON— Last week, Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) sent a letter, with Reps. Gwen Moore (WI-04) and Ron Kind (WI-03), urging Governor Walker to apply for a Preschool Development Expansion Grant. Unfortunately, Governor Scott Walker failed to submit an application before Wednesday’s deadline depriving Wisconsin of up to $60 million for preschool programs.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Reps. Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ron Kind (WI-03), and Gwen Moore (WI-04) sent a letter today to Governor Scott Walker urging him to apply for the Preschool Development Expansion Grant. Wisconsin is one of 36 states invited to apply for a share of $250 million in grants directed to help states develop and expand high-quality preschool programs for children from low- and moderate-income levels.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, today introduced the Student Loan Interest Deduction Fairness Act, H.R. 5508. This bill would help low-income households who have made payments on their loans access greater equity in receiving the Student Loan Interest Deduction currently available to borrowers.
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, today at a meeting with faculty and staff at the University of Wisconsin – Madison introduced the Next Generation Research Act which would improve opportunities for early career researchers. Unfortunately, current policies, including the budget sequester, are putting the brakes on research and innovation at a time when we need to step on the accelerator.
Madison, WI — U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, applauded the U.S. Department of Education for approving the University of Wisconsin System application to award federal financial aid for a competency-based UW Flexible Option program. In August, Rep.
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) and U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson (FL-24), both members of the House Education and Workforce Committee, today introduced the Relief for Underwater Student Borrowers Act, H.R. 5239. This bill would allow student loan borrowers who have been granted debt relief as a result of consistent repayment towards their student loan debt an exemption from being taxed on the amount forgiven.
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, today issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 3136, the Advancing Competency-Based Education Demonstration Project Act. The bill passed the House by a vote of 414-0:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), a member of the House Educations and Workforce Committee, today issued the following statement on a study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities which showed Wisconsin second only to Alabama in cuts to state funding for education since 2008:
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) today sent a letter to Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Tony Evers, supporting the Department of Public Instruction’s (DPI) full compliance with the United States Department of Justice’s examination into potentially discriminatory practices occurring within the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program:
Full text of the letter is available below.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, today issued the following statement on the Los Angeles Superior Court ruling in Vergara v. State of California: