It's time to get smart
Today is Read Across America Day, an annual reading motivation and awareness program developed to improve reading skills among our kids and create lifelong learners. Today, I want you to consider the commitments we've made to our students.
Funding for public education is a frequent target in Congress. Attacks range from education in the arts, music, and skills training, to critical services like reduced-cost and free lunch programs.
In Congress, I've worked with my colleagues on bipartisan solutions to enhance the educational opportunities in Northwest Washington.
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Securing additional funding for schools that serve military students, like the Oak Harbor School District.
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Passing reforms to the flawed "No Child Left Behind" standards to provide states with greater flexibility to tailor education to community needs, and maintain funding for lower-income schools.
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Introduced legislation to expand summer meal access to support lower-income families.
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Working to expand federal funding for STEM skills training, programs to assist students with disabilities, and increase school safety standards.
Access to quality education – regardless of your zip code – has never been more important. Students are no longer just competing with other children in the neighborhood, but at a global level for admission to American colleges and, eventually, for jobs.
Rick
