Education

Additional Resources Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Department of Education Explore Financial Aid - Find and Pay for College Federal Resources for Educational Excellence FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid National Center for Education Statistics National Science Foundation National Writing Project Student Gateway to the U.S. Government West Virginia Board of Education West Virginia Colleges and Universities West Virginia Department of Education West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission

Senator Rockefeller firmly believes that investments in education are investments in stronger communities, a better educated workforce, and a path to a stronger future. Whether it's a child learning how to read, high school students preparing for college or a new job, or an adult taking classes to prepare for a career change, Senator Rockefeller recognizes the vital role our schools and teachers play, and the need to provide them with our full support.

During his time as West Virginia's Governor and as U.S. Senator, Rockefeller has pursued the improvement of education at all levels and for people of all ages. He has fought for better and newer classrooms, improved training and financial rewards for teachers, and he has worked to make higher education more affordable.

Rockefeller has worked tirelessly to implement programs that will help educate students in math, science, and technology. His E-rate program has helped schools and libraries across the country connect to the Internet. And he has laid the foundation for drug prevention in schools with the Student Drug Education and Prevention Act and now the Safe and Drug Free Schools program.

Through his America's Better Classroom (ABC) Act, he is fighting to enact the largest single federal investment for school construction so that students and teachers have modern classrooms to learn and work in.

To meet the challenges of the 21st century, Rockefeller understands that schools need more than just up-to-date textbooks. They need highly qualified teachers, state-of-the-art classrooms connected to the Internet, and lesson plans that don't just teach the basics, but also prepare West Virginians to compete with people the world over.

That's why Senator Rockefeller introduced legislation to create the 21st Century Skills Partnership Incentive Fund that emphasizes critical thinking skills, technology, civic education, and character development.

Teachers

Across America and especially in West Virginia, rural and low-income schools are finding it difficult to attract and retain qualified teachers. To help address this problem, Senator Rockefeller has introduced the Incentives to Educate American Children Act (I TEACH). More...

E-Rate

Senator Rockefeller is one of the original authors of the E-Rate program, an effort to promote Internet connectivity in classrooms and libraries across the country. More...

Special Education

When the Individuals with Disability Act (IDEA) was created in 1975, the federal government pledged to improve education for students with disabilities and to help children learn in their least restrictive environment. Senator Rockefeller has long fought to increase IDEA funding in Congress so that all of West Virginia's children can share in a free, public education. More...

Head Start

A strong advocate for Head Start and school nutrition programs, Senator Rockefeller has worked to ensure that West Virginia's 24 Head Start programs have the resources they need to be effective in their communities. More...

Making College More Affordable

With tuition rates going up year after year, Senator Rockefeller has worked to help ease the burden on students and families who take out loans to pay for higher education. He has supported loan consolidation programs and an initiative that gives colleges and universities greater flexibility in awarding students financial aid dollars. Senator Rockefeller has also worked to expand Pell Grants and to cut the interest rates for federal student loans in half.

Student Loan Forgiveness

To encourage West Virginians to pursue careers in public service, health care, social work and education, Senator Rockefeller has worked to change the student loan program to allow for a loan forgiveness policy to graduates in 2007 and beyond who work in selected public service jobs for more than 10 years. More...

Scientific Research

For many years, Senator Rockefeller has been a national leader for the EPSCoR program, an initiative to ensure that underserved states like West Virginia get a fair chance and a better share of federal grants from top scientific agencies like the National Science Foundation, National Institute of Health and others. More...