Education

Early Childhood Education
Senator Booker believes that every child in America deserves the opportunity to succeed and has the right to a high-quality public education. Senator Booker supports investing early and often in student success, starting with universal access to preschool education.

Support for Vulnerable Students
Senator Booker recognizes that vulnerable students, particularly homeless and foster youth, often face more pressures outside of the classroom than their peers and often need additional support in school.

Senator Booker's amendment strengthening educational support for homeless youth and foster children was passed by the Senate in 2016 as a part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization, the Every Child Achieves Act.

Support for Students with Disabilities
Senator Booker is unwavering in his belief that students, no matter their income, race, background or disability, can excel when instruction is best suited to their needs. Senator Booker is fighting for all students to have access to the support they need to succeed in the classroom. He recognizes that it has become more and more difficult for schools to provide the services that children with disabilities need and are entitled to, and will continue to press Congress to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Support for Teachers
Senator Booker understands that quality and committed teachers and educational professionals are the most valuable resource in a child's educational journey. Senator Booker introduced an amendment to the Every Child Achieves Act passed by the Senate in 2016 to improve working conditions for teachers.

College Affordability
Young adults and their families are collectively saddled with $1.2 trillion of student debt. Senator Booker recognizes that this unfortunate reality is deterring prospective students from pursuing a college education and is hurting our economy.

Senator Booker is working to keep college within reach for young people. Senator Booker has joined with others to support innovative ideas that would allow students to refinance college loans and simplify the student loan process to make college more accessible and affordable.

Community Colleges
Senator Booker believes that community colleges are a critical component of the postsecondary education system in our country. Community colleges serve almost half of the undergraduate students in the United States and both help students prepare to succeed at 4-year institutions and provide critical workforce training. Senator Booker will continue to advocate for community colleges both in New Jersey and across the country.