Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

In a time of across-the-board budget cuts, education services for our nation's youth are at risk, and a college education seems out of reach for more and more Americans. Yet, the economic climate has magnified the importance of access to high quality education in developing a globally competitive, 21st century workforce. That is why I have fought, and will continue to fight, to ensure that young children enter school ready to learn and that our students have the resources, support, and quality education they need to become successful adults.

The Republicans in Congress have made clear with devastating budget proposals that they think deficit reduction should rest of the futures of our children. However, I have voted for lifeline funding like the historic $100 billion investment in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the $10 billion Education Jobs Fund to help stave off the need for damaging cuts in public education, such as shortening the school week and greatly increasing class sizes, and an 37% increase of the federal Pell Grant over the past four years.

Yet, money is only one factor vital to improving our nation's classrooms. Studies such as the 2009 Program for International Student Assessment show that the U.S. is falling behind in providing our youth with a quality education. Instead, we also need to be smart in how we invest in education. Federal, state, and local dollars should be spent on evidenced-based policies and programs. Schools -- whether they are traditional K-12, charter, magnet, or the like -- that are supporting teacher growth and development, preparing career and college ready students, decreasing drop-out rates, demonstrating yearly growth, and keeping kids safe should be used as models for achievement.

I know that one size simply does not fit all when it comes to education. That is why I think the federal government should incentivize a series of practices that are evidenced-based and effective at turning around and improving schools and early learning programs. Though there can certainly be strings and requirements attached to these funds -- such as requiring plans for improvement that must be approved by the Department of Education -- we must be careful to not make these strings overly burdensome or draconian. Clearly some intervention is needed for chronically underperforming schools, and unfortunately, often states and towns need a kick in the pants to initiate reform. That "kick", though, should involve more common sense and flexibility than the existing policy.

Of great importance, we must also meet our commitment to the hundreds of thousands of children whose opportunity for educational success is enhanced by special help in the classroom. The Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) Act, which authorizes aid to state and local districts for special education, has been woefully underfunded. IDEA has been an extremely effective law that has helped millions of students get the education they deserve and we owe it to our kids to support this program.

Connecticut's children deserve an education system that prepares them to be competitive in the global economy and in Connecticut. To accomplish this goal, we must have a strong federal commitment, coupled with the support of the state government, and the work of thousands of teachers and parents in our communities who make it their daily mission to educate the next generation. Working together, we can help our kids achieve their dreams.

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