Head Start

As you may know, the Head Start program offers children of low-income families a preschool experience designed to prepare them for entrance into elementary school. The program aims to improve a child’s growth in language, literacy, mathematics, science, social and emotional functioning, health and physical skills. I am proud to support the Head Start program because I know it works. Studies show this program improves cognitive development, helps to narrow the achievement gap facing low-income children and develops greater parental involvement in a child’s education both inside and outside the classroom. In the 110th Congress, we reauthorized Head Start in enacting H.R. 1429, the Improving Head Start Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-134). While this legislation authorized $7.35 billion for FY 2008, President Bush’s budget unfortunately only sought $7 billion for the program. Unfortunately, Head Start was only funded at $6.878 billion in FY 2008 and in the FY 2009 Continuing Resolution. Without additional funding, Head Start can only meet the needs of 42 percent of the eligible population. In support of early childhood development, I have joined with my House colleagues in sending a letter to the House Budget Committee in support of $7.8 billion in funding for Head Start in FY 2010.

Literacy

I also strongly support funding for Reading is Fundamental (RIF), whose goal is to improve literacy in elementary school children by providing free books through the U.S. Department of Education’s Inexpensive Book Distribution Program. This year, I have signed a letter addressed to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education requesting an increase in funding for the Reading is Fundamental Inexpensive Book Distribution Program from $25 million to $28 million in FY 2010. I will continue to press for additional funding for this beneficial program. 

Elementary and Secondary Education 

A strong education system provides Americans from across the country the knowledge and training they need to be successful leaders and innovators of tomorrow. Of billions being spent nationwide on education at all levels, about 90 percent comes from state, local, and private sources, making education a state and local responsibility. However, federal legislation significantly alters the landscape of elementary, secondary, and higher education. I am committed to ensuring that accomplishments on a federal level build a stronger education system with quality curriculum that equips students to meet the domestic and global demands of the 21st century.

Reauthorizing No Child Left Behind

As a longtime supporter of public schools, I believe the government plays a crucial role in guiding policy and providing the resources to help millions of Americans become well-rounded and productive citizens. Our economy relies upon and benefits from an educated workforce in all fields, which is why I am committed to investing in the future of our citizenry by improving public education. During the 110th Congress, I sent numerous letters to then-President Bush, to the director of the Office of Management and Budget, and to the leadership of the House Budget Committee requesting a substantial increase in funding for NCLB. Unfortunately, President Bush’s proposed budgets repeatedly under funded the law, most recently in 2008 at a level of $13.89 billion, representing 57% of the authorized level.

The purpose of this law is to improve student achievement by implementing measures for adequate yearly progress (AYP), stronger accountability standards and objectives for proficiency. Throughout my time as your representative in the United States Congress, I have heard concern from a number of educators about the impact of this law, namely how a lack of funding and the emphasis on standardized testing has undermined a meaningful educational experience for students. While I wholly believe in helping American students become more proficient in core subjects, I believe the standards we set at the federal level must be feasible and accompanied by adequate federal funding to help our most needy students.

I will continue to advocate for full funding for NCLB and have also joined as a co-sponsor of H.R. 1102, the Keeping our Promise to America’s Children and Teachers (PACT) Act. This legislation would appropriate otherwise unspecified Treasury funds to meet authorized funding levels for NCLB for the next six years.

Educating Children with Disabilities

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal statute that supports states in their obligation to meet the needs of educating children with disabilities. IDEA and its reauthorizations stipulate that funding will meet 40 percent of the excess costs of providing special education to these children, compared to expenditures for basic education. Unfortunately, though funding has increased significantly since the early 1990’s, IDEA has never been fully funded. On average, Georgia only spends about 75 percent of the national average per special education student. Any increase in funding would help to decrease the burden on our state so it may focus money in many different areas of basic education. I joined with my House colleagues in sending a letter to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education supporting continued investment for IDEA in FY 2010.

Ensuring School Safety 

Combating school violence demands significant community involvement, oversight and coordination between law enforcement, elected leaders, schools, parents and youth. We need to think of innovative ways to reach out to youth; supporting safe and fun activities at times when youth have less parental supervision. I will do all I can to work with communities in the 13th District to help them address this matter.

I have sent letters to the Appropriations Committee in support of increased funding for the availability of safe after school programs in my district like the Boys and Girls Club of America. This letter, addressed to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science, supports $100 million in funding for the BGCA in FY 2010. Students in our communities are much more likely to engage in risky behavior during unsupervised after-school hours. In Georgia, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) program provides supervised activities benefiting academic enrichment and literacy services to students and families. Yet due to decreased funding, only 6 percent of new applicants will be able to receive funding this year.

Additionally, I am a cosponsor of H.R. 1064, the Youth Prison Reduction through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support, and Education (PROMISE) Act. This proposal would enact practices to prevent juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang activity, and it would help build individual, family, and community strength. 

Strengthening Our Schools

Georgia must ensure that all students receive a quality education so they may be prepared to enter the workforce and our communities as productive citizens. In order to guarantee students are educated in an atmosphere that is conducive to learning, we must combat the issues of overcrowding in 13th District schools by promoting teacher recruitment programs and tax credits for building new facilities. Researchers project Metro Atlanta has the third-fastest growing child population in the country – some 120,000 schoolchildren will enter area schools over five years. Without additional schools and teachers, many of our children may fall behind further. Overcrowded schools correlate to decreased academic performance and increased disciplinary problems, two problems which demand much greater attention.

Career and Technical Education

I have also sent a letter requesting restoring funding for career and technical education programs under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. President Bush’s budget once again cuts the Perkins Act entirely. Unlike job training programs through JobCorps and YouthBuild, career and technical education programs are in the traditional secondary school setting and remain an important area of education for individuals who may not pursue a traditional liberal arts education.

Clayton County School Accreditation 

On August 28, 2008, the Clayton County School District lost its accreditation following a vote by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).  This is first time an entire school district has lost its accreditation since 1969.  Besides allegations of ethics violations and mismanagement against school board members, there were endemic problems within the system that had to be addressed so that our students can feel assured their diploma has weight and will help them progress toward higher education.  Because of the accreditation loss, students graduating from Clayton County Public School faced difficulties being accepted into institutions of higher learning, especially to those outside of Georgia.  Students attending Clayton County schools also encountered trouble obtaining academic scholarships to colleges and universities than students from other school districts.  However, current students were able to retain their HOPE scholarship eligibility until June 30, 2010.  The consequences of the loss of accreditation have been great, as over 2,000 of the 50,000 students enrolled in 2007-2008 in Clayton County schools failed to return to the system for the 2008-2009 school year.  Families have moved to other parts of the state, causing a ripple effect.