Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

As a former student and teacher in the New York City public school system, I know firsthand the importance and impact that education -- and educators -- can have on our students. Our children will be the next generation of scientists, engineers, diplomats, and doctors; we owe them the well-rounded, robust education that they so richly deserve. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn from a highly qualified teacher, in a safe learning environment, with 21st century resources, such as adequate classrooms, up-to-date textbooks, after-school programs and extracurricular activities, and exposure to the arts.

Ensuring that today's students receive these opportunities begins with providing schools with the resources they require to provide our children with a comprehensive, 21st century education. I was proud to support the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which provided an unprecedented level of funding to our local schools in order to help close the achievement gap, modernize schools, prevent the layoffs of teachers, hire additional teachers, and make college more affordable.

While the ARRA was a step in the right direction, much work still remains.

A good education begins before kindergarten. Preschool is a crucial component of a complete education. It should not be an exclusive club, but rather an opportunity for all children to get a head start. Children who attend preschool are much less likely to require special education or to repeat a grade and are much more likely to graduate high school and to attend college. I have continually cosponsored legislation that recognizes the importance of preschool education by funding early-education programs and instituting standards for professional pre-k teachers.

Teachers shouldn't be punished for their schools' inadequate budgets. Educators make great sacrifices and face tremendous challenges in improving education despite substantial funding cuts. It is unfair that underpaid public school teachers often pay out-of-pocket to supply their classrooms with the resources their students require. While, in an ideal world, teachers would not want for any classroom resources, I am a cosponsor of legislation to extend above-the-line tax deductions for educators who purchase supplies for their students.

It is also unacceptable that rising tuition is making it more difficult for college students and their parents to pay for a higher education. Our students are graduating with a level of debt that jeopardizes their long-term financial security and limits their ability to accept positions in public service and non-profit institutions. I strongly supported the College Cost Reduction Act, which slashed in half interest rates on federally subsidized student loans, significantly decreasing student-loan payments for the next generation of college graduates.

I strongly believe that providing comprehensive education to America's students is not only a moral obligation, but also is the source of America's competitive advantage. I will continue to support measures that both improve the quality of education in the United States and decrease the cost to students of receiving that education.

Source