Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

Senator Hagan, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, believes that a quality education is central to economic opportunity and future prosperity. To compete in a global economy, our students must receive an education that will prepare them for the challenges that lie ahead of them. At all levels, she believes in the fundamental partnership between educators, parents, and students to nurture talent and promote achievement.

Currently, our elementary and secondary education systems produce too many students who struggle in key subjects such as science and math, and too few who graduate from high school. To make sure students are succeeding in key subjects like science and math and improve graduation rates, Senator Hagan supports comprehensive education reform that will turn around our lowest performing schools, close the achievement gap and drastically reduce the dropout rate.

Senator Hagan has been active in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, known as The Strengthening America's Schools Act. Several of her commonsense proposals have been incorporated into the bill, including her financial literacy initiative, provisions to turnaround our lowest performing schools, and education technology language to bring classrooms into the 21st century.

With regard to higher education, Senator Hagan believes that access to affordable post-secondary education -- whether it's community college, a job training certificate or a four-year college -- is essential to ensuring that the next generation of American workers and entrepreneurs are prepared to succeed in the 21st-century economy. Now more than ever, students need the skills and expertise to participate meaningfully in emerging markets and industries.

In the U.S. Senate, Senator Hagan has focused on making college more affordable and accessible by keeping interest rates on federal student loans low. She also recognizes the important role that Historically Black Colleges and Universities play in North Carolina and across the country and was proud to support a significant investment in these schools.

Senator Hagan also believes that for students to achieve their academic potential, they must feel safe and free from bullying and harassment in school. As a cosponsor of the Safe Schools Improvement Act and the Student Nondiscrimination Act, she strongly supports efforts in Congress to promote a safe school environment and prevent students from facing discrimination because of their race, color, sex, religion, disability, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity.

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