Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

Education is a proven pathway for success. As a former educator and school board member in our community, I understand the needs our schools face. We need to fully fund education programs, give our students the resources they need and ensure our schools are environments for learning. That's why my bills provide adaptable solutions to the unique problems individual school districts face.

In tough economic times, we need to look at investing in education to keep our country globally competitive. But the No Child Left Behind law left our schools in a poor state, with teachers "teaching to the test" and leaving subjects like science and history on the chopping block. That is why I am pushing to change our education system.

We must ensure equal opportunity for all children. Our students need research-driven innovation in our schools to increase academic achievement and turn our students into critical thinkers, not test-takers.

My Education priorities include:

Supporting the Well-Being of Students
Developing Innovative Partnerships and Learning Opportunities for Students
Strengthening Pell Grants
Keeping Interest Rates on Student Loans Low
Providing Equal Access to Education

Supporting the Well-Being of Students
In a time when school budgets are being stretched to their limits, we must not forget the importance of mental health in a student's success. For a student, access to mental health services, such as a counselor or psychologist, may be the difference between a productive day in class and an act of aggression against oneself or one's peers.

As a psychologist, I know what an impact these professionals can have on a student's life. That's why I introduced the Partnerships for Achieving Student Success (PASS) Act (H.R. 1854). This bill creates a federal grant program to help increase and build the capacity of low-income school districts to recruit, employ, and retain school counselors, school social workers, school psychologists, and other psychologists qualified to work in elementary and secondary schools. The PASS Act acknowledges the influence that outside factors such as when students struggle with a personal life crisis; mental health issue; or social, behavioral, or learning problem, and seeks to provide schools with the professionals who can address these issues. We cannot ignore the role mental health plays in education, and the PASS Act will help schools and teachers provide students the support they need to excel.

Developing Innovative Partnerships and Learning Opportunities for Students
Across the country, many of our students face insurmountable barriers to learning. Research demonstrates that children are more likely to succeed in schools when their comprehensive needs -- hunger, health, a safe and stable home -- are met. In fact, a recent study from the Education Testing Service found that over half the factors that correlate with student achievement occur outside the classroom.

That's why I introduced the Developing Innovation Partnerships and Learning Opportunities that Motivate Achievement Act (DIPLOMA) Act. Drawing from successful models across the country, it promotes a shared, systemic and comprehensive approach to education through the integration of services and engaging families and communities. Specifically, it provides formula grants for states to award to local consortia to coordinate, integrate and facilitate services to strengthen student achievement. The funds can be used for dropout prevention, family engagement, tutoring, extending learning services, health care and social support. The bill contains strong accountability measures, including independent evaluations to measure the results of grant recipients and identify best practices.

Strenghtening Pell Grants

Pell Grants make college possible for over nine million Americans and nearly seventy percent of University of California students here in the 27th District. Financial aid helps American students achieve economic mobility and opportunity in this country. That's why I have led the charge against cuts to Pell Grants so that every student, regardless of background, can afford a degree and keep America competitive in the global economy.

I was also proud to cosponsor the Pell Grant Protection Act (H.R. 1956). H.R. 1956 would make the Pell Grant program a mandatory spending program similar to Social Security, restore Year-Round Pell Grants, and encourage students to complete their degrees in a more timely manner, which results in less overall debt. This will help millions of American students better afford college and build a better economic future.

Keeping Interest Rates on Student Loans Low

For many students who complete their education, they are faced with crippling debt and high interest rates upon graduation. I don't believe the government should be making money on the backs of hardworking students, which is why I have cosponsored the Bank on Student Emergency Loan Refinancing Act, (H.R. 1434), which would allow borrowers with existing student loans to refinance at a much lower rate- just under 4 percent. Students should not have to struggle under the weight of outrageous interest payments on their loans while the government profits.

The total student loan debt is already greater than the national credit card debt, and saddling this kind of debt on the next generation of American leaders will hold them back from reaching their full potential. It's an unacceptable burden for young people to should for the sake of a brighter future, and it's an untenable policy for a nation struggling its way out of recession.

Providing Equal Access to Education
Many of our minority students attend schools that lack the resources and staff to provide them with equal educational opportunities. California schools with the highest enrollment of minority students and the lowest academic achievement scores have teachers with the least experience. It is unconscionable for Congress to continue to let these inequities exist when one of the most influential factors on student achievement is having a great teacher.

That is why I introduced the Equal Access to Education Act. This bill helps high-need schools to recruit, induct and retain the best teachers by:

* Increasing the number of teachers from minority communities who have the training, mentorship and resources to succeed;

* Decreasing the high-turnover rates for educators in high-need schools;

* Creating residency programs that induct teachers into the first years of teaching;

* Providing educators with the skills to meet the needs of diverse learners including English language learners and students with disabilities; and

* Ensuring that students of all races and income levels get access to teachers who are fully prepared to meet their needs.

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