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Reaching the American Dream through Education

Education is the single most important factor when it comes to equalizing opportunity and ensuring our children are able to achieve a better future. A well-educated society is paramount to our global competitiveness and national security.

Because education is so critical, I believe we have a duty to ensure quality and equal availability in our educational system. Despite good intentions, the implementation of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) has strayed far off course, overwhelming schools and teachers due to inadequate federal funding. We must invest in the resources necessary to ensure our public education system features highly-trained teachers, full funding for programs, and affordability for American families of all backgrounds.

I am also concerned by the number of school buildings in need of physical improvements. In 2000, the National Center for Education Statistics concluded that 75 percent of our nation's schools were in various stages of disrepair. Yet, the Bush administration failed to provide any direct funding for general school construction in any of its budgets. As such, schools have been forced to rely on state and local funding for most repair or renovation projects.

Once out of K-12, I believe it is imperative that we provide an opportunity for all of our children to earn 2- or 4-year college degrees. I am a strong advocate of affordable higher education and fully believe that every person who can attend college should have the opportunity to do so. Making college more affordable is particularly important during a time when the cost of attending college continues to skyrocket. According to a recent College Board report, tuition and fees at four-year public institutions have increased 31 percent—after inflation—over the last five years.

This goal is of particular importance to me because I was a slow reader in grade school. My teachers pushed and helped provide me with the opportunity to reach my peers, graduate high school, and then attain my college diploma. As the first in my family to graduate from college, this opportunity set a new standard and opened doors to me that I never knew existed. Without the chance to go to college, it is difficult to assume that I would be where I am now. College provides a launch pad for our children's futures and every child deserves this chance.

Actions

•  On February 17, 2009, President Obama took a bold step to fight the recession and signed H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) into law. One of the reasons I voted for this bill is because of its historic investment in education. Part of the road to recovery is providing our future workforce with the best education in the world. By investing quickly and wisely, we can use the education funds to renovate and modernize our school facilities, drive key reforms, and improve the quality of education by giving students, teachers, and administrators the resources they need in a 21st Century classroom.

See H.R. 1 as signed into law

See the letter from California Delegation to Gov. Schwarzenegger

See the Department of Education's ARRA powerpoint presentation

•  I continue to work with my colleagues to develop legislation that reflects the recommendations shared with me by students, parents, teachers, principals, and superintendents. However, if the NCLB reauthorization language does not invoke significant reforms, I will be extremely hesitant to support it. As a parent of three children, I remain committed to my belief that education reform must help students and educators without undue impediments and bureaucratic processes.

See recent actions on NCLB from the Committee on Education and Labor

•  I am proud to say that with my support, the University of California, Merced is the 10th campus in the prestigious University of California system. UC Merced is diverse, growing, and committed to those ideals that serve the state, nation, and world through education, research, and public service. It increases educational access and opportunities for San Joaquin Valley students and will contribute to enhanced job opportunities, new business development, and economic growth throughout Central California. It is with great pride that the first full senior class will graduate from UC Merced in May 2009.

See H.Res 396, recognizing the first graduating class of UC Merced, as passed

See the press release on the UC Merced graduation resolution

Click here for the UC Merced website

•  In addition, I helped facilitate the creation of the UC Merced School of Medicine to address the critical projected physician shortage and combat serious health-related illnesses that plague the Valley. Recently, the Valley Coalition for a UC Medical School adopted a formal resolution calling for an acceleration of the school's development as well as increased clinical opportunities for students in the San Joaquin Valley. The California Endowment also awarded a $147,000 grant to the Valley Coalition for a UC Merced Medical School.

See the press release announcing the UC Medical School grant

See the press release on the UC Regents decision to authorize a medical school