Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

As we work to get our economy back on track, we must realize that education is a central component of economic development. If America does not lead the world in education, our future workforce will be less productive and less globally competitive. I am committed to a strong public education system that provides children with the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century economy. That means access to quality public schools for all children and an affordable college education for all who pursue one. As a member of the Science and Technology Committee, I recognize the need to bolster science, technology, engineering, and math programs in our public school system. These investments benefit our children now and strengthen America's long-term economic success.

Investing in our Public Schools

A healthy public education system is critical to ensuring America's children grow up with the skills they need to be competitive in the 21st century global economy. Many states are facing severe budget shortfalls and have already been forced to make cuts to K-12 education. Federal action was necessary to help ensure the recession did not cause our children's education to suffer. That's why I voted to bring over $3 billion in investments to Michigan's schools, $52 million for Oakland County schools alone, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (also known as the stimulus bill). In order to provide relief to local schools and ease the burden on state budgets, the ARRA provided federal IDEA and Title 1 grants as well as investments in school modernization construction and direct help to local school districts with budget shortfalls through State Stabilization fund. While some see education and economic development as separate issues, I believe they are one in the same. The education investments in the economic recovery plan will create new jobs now make America's workforce more globally competitive.

One of the most important pieces of legislation affecting K-12 education, the "No Child Left Behind Act" (NCLB,) will come up for reauthorization this year. While the original goals of improving student achievement and holding schools and teachers to tougher accountability standards should be maintained, the Act has put an underfunded federal mandate on our local districts for years and significant modifications to the legislation are needed to fully achieve its goals. I support changes that maintain original goals of NCLB while also easing the burden of unfunded mandates, revising Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standards and sanctions and providing reasonable flexibility to states and local schools.

Fighting for Local Schools

A difficult State budget environment has affected all residents, and schools have been especially hard hit. Michigan's FY10 School aid budget included a $165 per pupil cut, and a $51 million cut for 41 districts knows as "20j" districts. The 20j cuts were particularly painful for Michigan's 9th District, hitting 7 local districts and amounting to over $10 million in cuts. In response to 20j and additional education cuts, I contacted State leaders raising concerns about the loss of federal monies that could occur if the State education cuts remain. I fought for years to maintain funding at our 20j districts as a state senator, and I will continue to speak out against cuts for our kids now.

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