Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

"[Holt is] a dedicated environmentalist and a strong advocate of the improvements in science and mathematics education that will be essential if the United States is to compete in the global economy."
The Trenton Times, November 30, 2005

"It's reassuring that genuinely well-qualified scientists persist in a few refuges on the Hill. One physicist in Congress, Rush Holt (D-NJ), is an example. His work on education and the support of science funding has been exemplary, and it's good to have an expert with his credential on the Intelligence Committee."
Science Magazine, August 26, 2005

"Last weekend, [The College of New Jersey's] Science Complex was dedicated with a speech by Rep. Rush Holt, D-Hopewell Twsp., himself a physicist who has made the advancement of science education one of his causes in Congress...The Science Complex is at the center of a growth spurt at TCNJ that should please Rep. Holt and others who agree that America must not surrender its world leadership in the sciences."
The Trenton Times, November 3, 2005

"[Holt] said he was 'appalled' by President Bush's recent endorsement of the teaching of the theory of intelligent design - which posits that the existence of a higher being, rather than natural selection, is responsible for biological diversity - in public schools alongside the Darwinian theory of evolution. 'Public school science classes are not the place to be teaching things that cannot be tested empirically and verifiably,' he said. 'Wolfgang Pauli used to dismiss such statements as, 'It's not even wrong.'"
The Daily Princetonian, September 20, 2005

Holt received a 100% rating from the American Federation of Teachers, and was endorsed by the New Jersey Head Start Association and the New Jersey Education Association.

Strengthening Our Public Schools:
A good education is necessary for our children to have successful futures. The strength of our community and vitality of our economy both depend on the quality of our schools. We have a responsibility to help all children meet their potential, and Rush often visits our schools to see first-hand how we are doing.

Talking about education isn't good enough. As a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Rush fights for strategic investment in education initiatives that promise to offer dividends to our society. That means making our schools better by reducing class size, investing in teacher training, and setting high standards for our students.

Nationally, we will need more than two million new teachers by 2010. And that means we need to recruit and train additional high-quality teachers now. That is why Rush advocates providing up to $17,500 in student loans for math, science and special education teachers who make a 5-year commitment to teach in high-need school districts.

A Real Head Start
Education must start before school does. Head Start introduces children ages 3-5 to a learning environment and curriculum that prepare them for their formal education. As a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, I have fought attempts in Washington to dismantle this program.

More than 1,200 local children are enrolled in Head Start. The vast majority of these youngsters are from families in poverty. Head Start helps these children succeed in school and grow up to make greater contributions to our economy and our society.

Supporting AmeriCorps
Rush has continued to be an outspoken proponent of investing funds in AmeriCorps, a successful national service volunteer program. Local neighborhoods have benefited from federal dollars that have come back to community-based organizations in central New Jersey groups such as Crisis Ministry, A+ For Kids Teacher Network, Trenton Soup Kitchen, New Jersey Youth Corps and ARC.

Last year, Rush joined with colleagues on both sides of the aisle in signing a letter urging President Bush to invest more federal dollars into the program. AmeriCorps sustained a devastating cut of nearly 60 percent in the president's 2003 budget.

Rush believes that the reduction in the level of services to our communities, at a time when people have faced a stagnant economy, unemployment and other deep cuts in state and federal programs, is not just bad policy. It's wrong.

Making College More Affordable
With tuition costs on the rise, affording college is increasingly difficult. Getting a college education is still the best investment, and that is why Rush Holt is a leader in Congress on making college more affordable. For example, he supports:
# Raising the Higher Education Affordability and Fairness Act, which would allow a family to deduct from their taxes up to $15,000 in tuition expenses (H.R. 129).
# Doubling the maximum Pell Grant to $8,000 (H.R. 3180).
# Eliminating taxation on student loans, and allowing borrowers to re-consolidate their loans with the consolidation lender of their choice (H.R. 2711).
# Simplifying the application process for federal loans and grants (H.R. 2956).

Endorsements: (For most recent endorsements, please click here.)

New Jersey Education Association
Founded in 1853, the organization represents more than 174,000 educators, and is an advocate for improving public schools.

New Jersey American Association University Professors
Representing 17,000 College and University faculty, including the Rutgers AAUP, and Council of NJ State College Locals.

The Brady Campaign / Million Mom March
Dedicated to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in their communities.

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