Issue Position: Quality Education for All of Our Children

Issue Position

Senator Schatz believes that all of our children deserve a high-quality education. He's working to improve our public schools and make sure Hawai"i's youth have the tools and resources they need to succeed in a changing economy. From universal pre-K to making college more affordable, Senator Schatz is committed to an education system that reflects our shared Hawai"i values and provides a comprehensive education for every child.

In the U.S. Senate, Senator Schatz has co-sponsored several pieces of legislation to bring greater funding and focus to pre-K and early childhood education. The Ready to Learn Act, PRE-K Act, and the Prepare All Kids Act of 2013 are important steps to give all children the chance to succeed from an early age.

Senator Schatz believes we must do more to address the skyrocketing cost of higher education, which puts college out of reach for millions of American families. He voted to cut the student loan interest rate nearly in half -- a bill that President Obama signed into law.

He is also leading the way on enacting bold reform to bring higher education within reach for more young people. Senator Schatz introduced the College Affordability and Innovation Act with Senator Chris Murphy, legislation that would ensure that federal funds are going to colleges that are providing an affordable, high-quality education to students. An additional bill he is co-sponsoring alongside Senator Elizabeth Warren would allow borrowers to refinance their existing student loans at today's lower interest rates, potentially saving hundreds of dollars each year.

In Hawai"i's State Legislature, he helped pass sweeping education reform that gave teachers, administrators, and communities more funding and control to implement effective practices for their schools. He will continue to fight to support our local families and schools -- starting with a complete overhaul of the No Child Left Behind program.

In order for our children to succeed in school, our communities also must be strong, supportive, and stable. Senator Schatz has fought to secure federal funding for programs to help Hawai"i families thrive. He believes in a comprehensive approach to strengthening our communities, including providing access to affordable health care, pre-K programs, and public parks and open spaces.

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