March 12, 2010

Racing to the Top for a Better Education System

March Madness means many ACC fans across North Carolina may be focused on basketball, and although I am one of those fans, March has taken a larger meaning for those of us who are engaged in the fight to improve our schools and national education policy.

If you have young school-aged children, you may know that March is National Reading Month or that students and teachers celebrate Dr. Seuss’ March birthday with Read Across America.  I enjoyed participating in this with students recently at Rex-Rennert Elementary School in Robeson County.  If you are contemplating sending a child to college, you likely know the challenges that come with paying for a top-rate education.  What you may not know is that North Carolina is on the cusp of dramatically re-shaping America’s educational system.

North Carolina has just been named as one of 15 states which are advancing in a comprehensive and rigorous challenge to improve education.   The U.S. Department of Education is spearheading the challenge, Race to the Top, which aims to better engage and prepare our students for success in the 21st century.  Race to the Top represents a $4.35 billion investment provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which I supported.  I am pleased that our State, which is requesting over $469 million over four years, will be making their finalist presentation to the U.S. Department of Education this week in Washington.
 
Even in today’s tough economic times, we must continue to make a steady and strong investment in education.  The investment in our youth today translates into a more productive and highly-skilled workforce tomorrow, ready for the rigors of a global economy.  Education is a cornerstone of economic prosperity and development, and southeastern North Carolina must be ready to compete in the marketplace of ideas and innovation.

That is why I want to help make college more affordable for families, especially those struggling during this difficult economic period.  I have supported a variety of initiatives to help ease that burden, including increasing Pell Grant awards and tuition tax credits.  I also voted for the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA), which passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is now awaiting action by the U.S. Senate.  It is the single largest investment in higher education in American history and would make college more accessible and transform the way our student loan programs operate.  Importantly, it would create significant taxpayer savings which would expand early education programs, strengthen community colleges and training programs, and boost the fiscal health of our nation.

      As we work toward reforming our education system and reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, I remain committed to the fight to improve our schools.  I am fortunate to have an Education Advisory Committee comprised of some of the best teachers and administrators in southeastern North Carolina to keep me apprised of the issues directly affecting our local schools.  Additionally, I also serve on the Community College Caucus, the Impact Aid Coalition, the Rural Education Caucus, the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Caucus, and the Congressional Caucus on Youth Sports which I founded.  All of these forums afford me greater debate on these important issues, but the countless hours that I have spent volunteering with teachers, students and parents, from both public and private schools throughout our area, have reinforced my life-long commitment to improving education in North Carolina.

One of the most rewarding programs I have had the pleasure to initiate and host is the annual Seventh Congressional District Youth Summit, which was held just yesterday in Lumberton.  It is a program which features teen participants from across southeastern North Carolina to discuss and debate the most compelling issues of today.  We have been honored to have had some of North Carolina’s brightest minds inspire these young leaders of tomorrow.

Encouraging and preparing students for the challenges they will have to meet in the years ahead is a responsibility we all share.  It is also a privilege, and I challenge all of us to get involved and make a difference.