Pathways to Success for our Students

Statement

With August in full swing, students across Nebraska are returning to school. Teachers are arriving early to prepare their classrooms. Children are filling up backpacks and getting ready to ride yellow buses to school.

I'm sure some students are feeling bittersweet. They are disappointed to see their summer break come to an end, but looking forward to the possibilities that lie ahead in the new school year. Students will strengthen friendships and grow new ones, try out for sports teams, and learn new things in the classroom.

Recently, I sponsored a resolution in the Senate to designate September as "School Bus Safety Month." This resolution highlights the number of children that ride school buses each year, the total number of miles traveled by school buses, and the work of the Child Safety Network's Safe Bus campaign. Every school day in the United States, about 500,000 public and private school buses carry more than 26 million students to and from school. This resolution gives thanks to our nation's bus drivers for making sure our students get to school safely and on time.

Before I ran for office, I served on my local school board and as president of the Nebraska Association of School Boards. These roles allowed me to hear directly from our communities to identify ways we can improve our education system. I use this same approach in the Senate. Our teachers, parents, and local communities understand the needs of students better than bureaucrats in Washington.

The education students receive prepares our future leaders for the 21st century economy. There are many roads to success for our students. Some may choose a four year college, but not everyone desires nor needs a college education to succeed.

Unfortunately, our country has a skills gap problem. Our economy is booming, yet companies are still are looking to hire skilled workers. There is a lack of job-seekers who have the necessary skills and qualifications to fill jobs that require specific training.

We need to help ensure that students are equipped with the skills they need to compete for good, high paying jobs when they choose to enter the workforce. We can do so by increasing the number of career and technical education teachers here in Nebraska.

Recently, I supported the passage of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for 21st Century Act in the Senate. This bill reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) Act for the first time since 2006. The Perkins CTE Act funds programs that will help students get the training and skills they need to find high-skill, high paying jobs, and contribute to the success of Nebraska's businesses and communities.

I was proud to work with Matthew Blomstedt, the Commissioner of Education for Nebraska, on this legislation. We were able to work together to ensure that this new law will give states the flexibility to grow the number of career education teachers.

As a new school year begins, I am focused on providing well-rounded educational opportunities for our students. I will continue my work in the Senate to help provide students with the knowledge and pathways for success in the future.

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.

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