Conference Report on H.R. 4137, Higher Education Opportunity Act
CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4137, HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY ACT -- (House of Representatives - July 31, 2008)
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Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, as someone who is still paying off some student loans, I understand how difficult it is for parents and students as they face dramatic increases in college costs. And as the first in my family to the graduate from college, I know firsthand the value and the importance of a good education. It truly is the doorway to success, and is a critical piece to making America more competitive in the global economy.
I am pleased how this bill does aim to improve America's competitiveness. It seeks to make college more affordable, and it cracks down on the fraudulent practice of ``diploma mills'' where people manufacture fake diplomas.
Since being elected to Congress I have worked to improve America's competitiveness, and I believe it is important that we are focusing more on math and science education. And through the Mathematics and Science Scholars Program, this legislation will refocus the program to award graduate and postgraduate scholarships to U.S. students studying math, science, engineering or computer science.
In addition, this bill incorporates an adjunct content specialist program, which I think is very important to bringing the real world experience into the classroom, and it provides grants to school districts to recruit adjunct content specialists, these experts in math, science and critical foreign languages.
I believe our education can be improved if we allow smart and successful people like Bill Gates to spend time in the classroom. Wouldn't it be great to have someone like Bill Gates in the classroom helping inspire our high school students?
However, we are not simply seeing a shortage of engineers and scientists. We also need welders, plumbers, auto mechanics, lab technicians, doctors, nurses, pharmacy techs.
In my eastern Washington district, manufacturers turn away job applicants because prospective employees don't have the math skills needed for precision manufacturing. These are good paying jobs, on average, $42,000 a year. And most of them come with good medical and retirement benefits.
Along with increasing our competitiveness, the rising cost of college must be addressed. We must increase support for loan and grant programs that give students additional options and opportunities for post-high school education. College tuition continues to dramatically increase, clearly impacting students' ability to afford college.
Each year, approximately $9 million is disbursed to students in Eastern Washington colleges and universities through the Perkins Loan program, and I am pleased that the bill we are considering today increases funding for Perkins loan programs.
I am also pleased that this bill opens wider the door for students with intellectual disabilities. For the first time, these students will be eligible for Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and the Federal Work Study Program.
Today businesses are increasing more opportunities to employ people with intellectual disabilities to become employed so that these employees can earn higher wages, allowing them to realize their dreams and become self-sufficient.
The conference report builds on the successful delivery of educational services to these students made possible through the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.
Finally, I am pleased we are working to eradicate the practice of diploma mills. Provisions in this bill increase transparency to give consumers more information and require the Secretary to continue her efforts to further crack down on fraudulent diploma mills.
In Spokane, purchasers of these phony degrees from a local diploma mill included at least 135 Federal Government employees. We need to protect the integrity of our higher education system and the diplomas so many of us have worked hard to earn.
I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their efforts on this important bill. We must do all we can to prepare our kids for the opportunities life presents. If we equip them with a solid education and the workforce skills, America will continue to lead in innovation and excellence.
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