Education
Education I firmly believe that education is not only the foundation of opportunity, but the key to our country’s future success. We must continue to ensure all of our students have equal access to education, while supporting our hard working teachers. Although we face many challenges in education, we must work to improve educational opportunities for our children, helping create a stronger and more competitive workforce. Over the last year, Congress has taken significant steps to help stabilize local school districts and put California on a path toward educational success. The passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act brought our district increased funding to provide assistance to schools with high percentages of poor students, while also expanding funding for the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act. Additionally, the Fiscal Year 2010 education budget funded both of these programs at historically high levels. This session, Congress will again work toward reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, better known as No Child Left Behind. The current system has done little to close the achievement gaps between urban and rural schools, while low-income and minority students are still struggling. Throughout the reauthorization process, I will be working closely with parents and our local education leaders as well as my colleagues in the House to make sure any changes to this important education law are appropriate for Northern California’s students, teachers, and schools. I am also committed to providing critical resources needed to make higher education more accessible and affordable for North Coast families. Over the last five years, student fees have increased by 61 percent a year at the University of California system and by 68 percent at the California State University system, while community college fees have gone up by 30 percent over the last year. To combat rising college costs, Congress passed a new federal student loan law that will transform federal student loan programs to help more students receive financial assistance for college. In our district, over $64 million will be invested in students by increasing the maximum Pell Grant Scholarship. The new law will also strengthen community college and professional training programs, helping us prepare more Americans for a competitive and highly-skilled workforce. To support these goals, I am a Co-Chair of the Congressional Rural Education Caucus, ensuring any new federal initiatives or laws are appropriate for our communities. The caucus serves as an informal, bipartisan group of Members working together to promote greater awareness of the unique needs and functions of rural school systems. This session, I am honored to work with the 25 Members of the caucus, addressing one of our district’s most important needs. Please know I strongly support innovative ideas to help our students become better prepared for the future, but no one policy change will accomplish this task. We must look at our overall education system and evaluate what works and what can be improved to help make the next generation competitive and prosperous. Related Documents:
Press Releases -
REP. MIKE THOMPSON STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF STUDENT LOAN AGREEMENT
|