August 22, 2007
“Investing in our children’s education, at all levels, is critical to increasing the likelihood that they experience long-term success and a high standard of living over the course of their lifetime. It is also a key to ensuring a prosperous future for Maryland and the country as a whole in the 21st Century. Each of us, as engaged members of our community, must demand that quality education for all children becomes a national priority.” -- Donna Edwards
Dear Friends,
The beginning of a new school year is a time for renewal – for students, parents, and for educators. From kindergarten to high school to vocational school to college, it’s an opportunity for a fresh start. In the words of one of my favorite teachers: “On the first day of school, everyone starts out with an A-plus!”
Unfortunately, for too many of our students the possibility of holding onto that A-plus will fall quickly to the wayside through no fault of their own. Some classrooms may lack the most up-to-date books, others may be over-crowded or understaffed, and still others may lack computers, microscopes and other tools for 21st Century learning. In some classrooms a child may arrive hungry, may attend that first day without the encouragement of a loving parent or guardian, and another may be distracted by violence and upheaval at home or in the community. All of these things and more could hamper a student’s ability to maintain that first-day A-plus. Our job is to keep these inadequacies and distractions from getting in the way of that first-day A-plus!
Investing in our children’s education, at all levels, is critical to increasing the likelihood that they experience long-term success and a high standard of living over the course of their lifetime. It is also a key to ensuring a prosperous future for Maryland and the country as a whole in the 21st Century. Each of us, as engaged members of our community, must demand that quality education for all children becomes a national priority. I will fight for a quality education for all children, no matter their race, ethnicity, income, or location inside or outside of the Beltway.
I value the positive role that educators play in our children’s lives. As a parent, I’ve learned that not every child learns in the same way and at the same pace and that a remarkable teacher can inspire and encourage any child. I also understand the complications of balancing work, homework, and being active at school to ensure success for our children. As my son, Jared, is about to begin his second year at college, I am thankful every day that he didn’t become just another statistic. Today, like some of you, I struggle to cobble together savings, scholarships, and loans to ensure that Jared doesn’t depart college with the nearly $100,000 educational debt that I faced. As a member of our community, I support the real need to create teaching and learning opportunities in addition to college to provide technical and vocational skills for students to make their way after completing high school successfully.
When it comes to the issue of education, I am sad to say that our district is a divided one. Montgomery County recently reported substantial improvement in reaching performance targets for elementary and middle schools and is top in the nation in Advanced Placement passage rates for minority students. Prince George’s County is also making progress, particularly at the elementary school level. This year, Advanced Placement courses are being added in all high schools in Prince George’s County. Unfortunately, Prince George’s County also had the most schools on the “needs improvement” list than any county in the Maryland suburbs, and Montgomery County still faces performance disparities based on race and ethnicity. We can do more, and we must do more for the sake of our children’s futures. Nationally, our children are losing ground in academic achievement compared to other industrialized countries and we are losing classroom time for science, social studies, music, and art. This is a pattern that is cause for concern in an increasingly global community and economy. As your Congress member, I will address the issue of education by providing leadership on policy initiatives that I believe can have a profound impact on education to prepare our children for the 21st Century.
- Establish universal pre-k programs for every 4-year-old child, regardless of race or economic background. The research is uncontested. These programs are especially beneficial to children in low- and middle-income households -- every dollar invested in these programs yield $7 in increased productivity and reduced costs. As a member of Congress, I would support current federal pre-kindergarten proposals that have been introduced and would work hard to see them become law. I applaud the efforts by our local school systems in taking on this important initiative for expanding access to pre-kindergarten. In the meantime, I look forward to the policy proposals to be developed by the Maryland Task Force on Preschool Education due December 1, 2007.
- Make the necessary adjustments to No Child Left Behind. Despite its flaws, the goals of NCLB can be met if corrective action is taken sooner rather than later. I support efforts to revise measurements of adequate yearly progress for schools to reflect standards for the highest performing schools and to measure and assess progress and growth of each student individually; increase the number of highly qualified teachers at every school and trained support staff in classrooms; invest in school improvement (tools, materials, classroom resources) and student services; and provide full funding to enable states and school systems to meet the goals of NCLB.
- Reinvest federal funding into vocational and technical training schools. Funding for vocational and technical training schools has been slashed under the Bush Administration. These programs provide a critical opportunity for non-college bound students to learn a skilled trade to increase their earning potential. In the coming years we will need a trained and skilled workforce to fill jobs that will be required to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure, from bridges, to rail transit, to water and sewer systems, to a new power grid as we move toward 21st Century energy technologies. Vocational and technical training and education provide an important educational option for many high school graduates and those re-entering the workforce.
- Overhaul the college loan industry. The recent cut by Congress to the federally subsidized student loan rates was a step in the right direction, but we need serious additional changes to truly address the problem. Between 2000 and 2006, the cost of tuition, fees, room and board has risen an astounding 44 percent. I know as a student and a parent the financial burden of college. Whether attending two- or four-year programs or graduate school, college students and their parents should be able to borrow at competitive loans with low rates, no hidden fees, and no consolidation and repayment gimmicks. We should restore the service side of the student loan program and sever exclusive relationships and perks from lenders to college financial aid officers. Student loan programs should not be a personal enrichment opportunity for chief executives and shareholders like former Sallie Mae (the nation’s largest student loan provider) CEO Albert E. Lord, who received $235 million in total compensation during his tenure. It is unconscionable that lenders profit off the backs of those who want to earn a college education.
My joy of reading, writing and learning began with my parents and my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Robinson. Those lessons remain with me today. The climate we create in our schools can open the doors to a lifetime of learning – opportunities for parents and educators to work together for our children. I wish this for all our students. These are just some of the ideas and approaches I have thought about to ensure a quality education and lifetime learning for all our children. As your member of Congress, I will work hard to make the priorities of our district priorities in Washington, DC.
If you have any questions, please call our campaign office at (301) 316-1880 or visit us on the web at www.donnaedwardsforcongress.com.
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
