Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

As a member of House Education and Labor Committee, I have made educating and preparing our children for the 21st Century one of my top priorities. We need to ensure that our schools have the resources they need to provide our children with a quality education in a safe and healthy environment. If our nation wants to compete for the jobs of tomorrow, we must also make sure that all of our children have the doors of higher education open to them.

Congressman Courtney's Work on Key Educational Issues:

Improving Access to Higher Education. In order to make higher education a reality for more middle class families, I worked to pass the College Cost Reduction Act. This landmark legislation marked the largest single investment in higher education since the first G. I. Bill was passed during World War II. This legislation helps make college more affordable for middle class families by increasing Pell Grants for students while also reducing the interest rate for student loans. As the cost of a college education continues to increase, I believe that we need to provide additional support for students and their families as they pursue a college degree.

Increasing Federal Support for Elementary and Secondary Education. Improving our local schools and education systems starts in our communities. I am committed to ensuring that all children, regardless of their socioeconomic status, have access to a quality education. To that end, I have worked to enact increased funding for school assistance programs like Title I and IDEA. I also support efforts to improve standards to ensure that our children are receiving the instruction they need to excel in the classroom.

Supporting Head Start. In order to achieve and thrive, our children need the resources and help early to get a "head start" on their education. I helped pass the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act, which expanded the Head Start program and increased federal support for children and their families. Additionally, this legislation established additional benchmarks to improve each child's skills with regards to basic skill sets in language, literacy and math.

Investing in our Nation's Competitiveness. The future of our nation, and our economy, depends on investing now in the education and skills of our children in order to compete for the jobs of tomorrow. As a member of the Congressional Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Caucus, I have fought to improve science, technology, engineering and math opportunities in public schools. In addition, I supported the America COMPETES Act which ensures that students, teachers, businesses and workers are prepared to lead the world in innovation, research and technology.

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