Education

As a mom, I understand the importance of a strong public education system. From early childhood programs like Head Start, to K-12 and higher education, I am committed to supporting policies that make sure the system works for everyone.

I cosponsored a resolution that creates a framework for well-rounded public K-12 education that prepares students for success, embraces parental and family engagement, provides access to diverse instruction materials, teaches kids to think critically, and reduces educational disparities. 

We also need to make sure that our schools effectively prepare students to participate in the economy of the future. Recently, when the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology considered the Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act, I was able to secure unanimous support for my amendment encouraging research on effective approaches for teaching underrepresented students. A student’s gender, race, or ethnicity – or whether they grow up in a rural town or an immigrant family – should not prevent them from competing for good jobs in the STEM economy of the future.

Education is a gateway to opportunity, but we have to make sure that students are gaining the skills they will need to compete in the workforce.That’s why I’ve called for strong funding for National Science Foundation programs to develop innovative approaches to microelectronics education and workforce development that will prepare students to work in high-tech professions. I’ve also sought to advance legislation that will support community colleges and workforce training programs, including the American Workforce Empowerment Act, a bill that would allow tax-preferred college savings plans (529 plans) to fund certain postsecondary certificate programs and apprenticeship programs.

Beyond investing in better and more accessible STEM programs, affordability in higher education is a top priority of mine. After years of hard work, students are increasingly entering the workforce with crushing debt. While the Biden Administration has taken some key steps to rein in costs and ease the burden on student loan borrowers, there’s still work to do to ensure long-term accessibility and affordability for all Americans.