Issue Position: Education
Issue Position
As the brother of two Worcester public school teachers, Jim McGovern knows that nothing is more important to our future than the education of our children. Having a well-educated, well-trained workforce is essential to keeping our economy competitive in the 21st Century.
Jim supported Massachusetts' successful application to the "Race to the Top" competitive grant program, which is designed to encourage and reward states that are leading the way in education reform. As the recipient of $250 million, Massachusetts will continue to maintain high standards, turn around low-achieving schools, and recruit, reward and retain effective teachers and principals.
Jim has also supported legislation to save education jobs during these difficult economic times, including 500 education jobs in Worcester and nearly 300 in Fall River.
The Third District is home to some of the best institutions of higher education in the world. And Jim McGovern has been worked tirelessly to help families afford a higher education, including authoring legislation to increase Pell Grants. Jim believes that for students who get into college, the focus should be on succeeding in school, not on worrying about how they will pay for it.
That's why Jim was proud to support the most significant student loan reform legislation in a generation. This bill -- which is fully paid for -- will provide the largest investment in federal college aid in history. It will make an unprecedented investment in Pell Grant scholarships. It will streamline the student loan program, making it easier and more affordable for families to obtain student loans, and it will provide support directly to students and their families, rather than to banks.
In addition, Jim has worked to directly support the extraordinary institutions of higher learning in the Third District. From UMass Medical School to Holy Cross to Clark to Worcester Polytechnic Institute to Dean College, Jim has made supporting these colleges and universities a top priority.
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