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
By Ruth Conniff
Betsy DeVos, Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Education, is the only member of the incoming administration so far to have her confirmation hearing delayed.
“She may be the first casualty in the high-rise they’re building on the swamp here in Washington,” says Representative Mark Pocan of Madison, Wisconsin.
By Jessie Opoien
U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan on Tuesday announced the formation of a House Public Education Caucus in opposition to President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Betsy DeVos as education secretary.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement after the Next Generation Researchers Act passed the House & Senate as part of the 21st Century Cures Act. The Next Generation Researchers Act directs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to promote and provide new opportunities for new researchers and earlier research independence.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) called on the Department of Education to take the necessary steps to ensure proper oversight and encourage accountability of taxpayer-funded voucher schools following the findings of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released today. In December of 2014, Rep. Pocan along with Reps.
By Rep. Mark Pocan
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) introduced The Degrees Not Debt Act. This legislation would create a state-federal partnership program with the Department of Education, states, and public colleges or universities in order to ensure college affordability becomes a reality for all Americans.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement after the Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act of 2016 passed the House. Earlier this year Rep. Pocan and Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV) introduced the legislation, which makes President Obama’s executive action to allow for the use of Prior-Prior Year tax data for students permanent – helping students make timely financial decisions about their education.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI), Rep. Rick Nolan (D-MN), and Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL) introduced the Relief for Underwater Student Borrowers Act. The 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. – Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement after the United States Supreme Court delivered its decision in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, affirming the rights of teachers and other public sector employees to have a seat at the table and the ability to strengthen their profession through union representation. The 4-4 ruling upholds the lower court’s decision and allows the 1976 Abood v. Detroit Board of Education decision to remain precedent.
Washington, DC – Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN), along with CPC First-Vice Chair Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) released statements today after Rep. Pocan offered the CPC’s debt-free college resolution as an amendment to the House Republican budget. First introduced in April 2015 by the CPC co-chairs along with Senators Schatz, Schumer and Warren, the resolution prioritizes making debt free college a reality.