Education

Achieving education reform is one of my top legislative priorities in Congress. After my first election in 2006, I immediately sought an appointment to the House Education and Labor Committee and spent my first two years working to expand early childhood education, improve our K-12 system, and help more Americans access a high-quality college education.

Congressman Yarmuth visits Gutermuth Elementary School

I believe a comprehensive literacy program is central to our success. I helped develop a literacy program that will provide every child from birth through 12th grade with extensive literacy support. The inability to read at grade level is the strongest indicator that a child will drop out of school. We fail our children if we let them experience defeat in the classroom and ultimately give up on the path to a successful career.  

While it is important to improve our K-12 system, we must also continue to lower the cost of higher education for America’s families. By reforming our federal student loan system, we can invest new savings directly into education. We can make college more affordable by increasing Pell Grant scholarships and keeping interest rates low while bolstering college access and completion. And we can simplify the financial aid application process.

I am proud to have helped establish a public service loan forgiveness program, provide grants to colleges of education to ensure teachers receive the training they need to help students with disabilities in the classroom, and create a national center that will revolutionize the education system by integrating the latest technologies into the classroom.

I believe education is the best investment we can make in the future of our country. Although it is often difficult to see beyond our short-term needs, if we prioritize long-term education reforms, we will give Americans the opportunity to fulfill their dreams while maintaining the highest-skilled workforce in the world.