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Senator Murray discusses her education priorities.
In this Issue:
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Working to Improve College Access and Affordability
Higher Ed Reform Passes Senate Committee
Last week, Senator Murray helped move forward comprehensive legislation to make college more accessible and affordable for students. Murray helped draft the Higher Education Access Act of 2007 as a member of the Senate's Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. The bill passed the committee with Murray's support, and next heads to the Senate floor for consideration.
"With the cost of college rising, this bill will put higher education in the hands of more students, especially those who face the greatest barriers to a college education," Murray said.
"The only way I was able to attend college was through Pell Grants and students loans, and I've heard from many students across Washington state facing the same challenges. That's why I'm pleased that we're raising Pell Grants by 25 percent and ensuring that loan payments don't become an overwhelming burden to graduates."
The comprehensive bill:
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Raises the maximum Pell Grant by 25 percent over four years to $5,400 per student;
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Helps ensure that borrowers will not have to pay more than 15 percent of their monthly income in student loan payments;
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Encourages public service by providing loan forgiveness for graduates who pursue public service;.
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Helps promote high quality and effective teacher preparation programs for new and prospective teachers and helps high-need schools recruit and retain high quality teachers;
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Reforms the student loan process so it puts students first, and it improves transparency on college costs and student loans
Help for Military Service Members
Murray successfully worked to help military service members serving in combat or national emergencies defer their student loan payments during their deployments and as they transition out of service. Currently, the law limits how long service members can defer their payments to just three years. Murray's proposal lifts this three-year limit and makes more service members eligible.
Help for Homeless and Foster Students
Murray also worked to improve college access for homeless and foster students. Specifically, Murray helped simplify the student aid application process and made homeless and foster eligible for higher levels of assistance.
Bill Summary
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Senate Passes Head Start Reauthorization Bill
Last week, the Senate passed the Head Start for School Readiness Act, which reauthorizes the federal Head Start program.
Murray, as a member of the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP), was a key participant in the negotiations that created the bill.
Senator Murray’s statement follows:
Today in the Senate, we took an important step forward to help ensure that all children have access to quality early childhood education. As a former pre-school teacher, I know first-hand that effective early learning can have an enormous impact on a child’s future success in school and in society. As I’ve visited Head Start centers across Washington state, I’ve heard from teachers, parents, and advocates about ways to improve Head Start, and I’ve been pleased to help incorporate their suggestions into this bill.
The Head Start for School Readiness Act makes several important changes to strengthen Head Start.
First, it helps raise the quality of Head Start services across the country to ensure that all children, no matter where they live, receive high quality, consistent services.
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Second, this bill will help ensure that all Head Start partners – from early childhood centers to elementary schools, child care centers, health care providers, and family service centers -- are working together in a coordinated way to best serve young children and their families.
As a parent and former educator, I know how important it is to support parents and to engage them in their children’s education. In this bill, I’ve worked to give parents a strong voice through Policy Councils. I’m also pleased that this bill makes progress in improving access for homeless and foster students as well as for Indian and migrant students. Washington state is a leader in coordinating early learning efforts, and in the Senate, I’m working to build on that progress as this bill moves forward.
It has been too long since the federal government updated Head Start to meet the current needs facing young children and their families across the country. We have a strong bill, and I will continue working until these improvements are finally signed into law.
Bill Summary |
