Issue Position: Working to Improve Education

Issue Position

Congresswoman Sánchez believes that every child deserves an A+ education. She has led efforts in Congress to build and renovate schools, to protect Head Start from being cut, and to provide scholarships for new and qualified teachers in our public schools. She has fought to restore maximum funding to President George Bush's "No Child Left Behind Act," which has been under-funded by the House leadership.

* No Child Left Behind Act - If we truly expect our schools to meet the challenges of greater accountability and high achievement, then we must provide school leaders and faculty with the necessary resources. The "No Child Left Behind Act," which became law two years ago, promised greater school funding in exchange for greater accountability. Unfortunately, this Administration has continued to shortchange our schools by under funding the No Child Left Behind Act by a whopping $15 billion. Congresswoman Sánchez continues to support maximum funding for the "No Child Left Behind Act" because our children deserve nothing less.

* Maintaining Safe Schools - For too long, bullying has been an overlooked problem. Studies have shown that bullying is often times a precursor to gang violence. By stopping bullying, we protect our children, improve our schools, reduce crime, and make our communities safer! To address this issue, Congresswoman Sánchez successfully included a portion of her bi-partisan "Bullying and Gang Prevention for School Safety and Crime Reduction Act of 2005" (H.R.283) into this year's Department of Justice bill, which passed the House and was signed by the President in early 2006. Congresswoman Sánchez' bill provides federal funding for state and local bullying prevention programs.

* Constructing More Schools - Our children's schools must be safe and well equipped. Too often schools suffer from overcrowded and crumbling classrooms. That is why Congresswoman Sánchez supports the "America's Better Classroom Act of 2005," (H.R. 1742). This bill expands the incentives for the construction and renovation of public schools.

* Recruiting and Retaining Qualified Teachers - In order to attract and retain more teachers, Congresswoman Sánchez is a sponsor of the "Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act of 2005," (H.R. 670). This bill expands the teacher loan forgiveness program under the federal loan program, so that teachers can afford to stay in the classroom.

* Expanding college opportunities - Everyone should have the opportunity to go to college. That's why Congresswoman Sánchez is a sponsor of the "Access to Higher Education Act of 2005," (H.R. 1293) which permits refinancing of student consolidation loans and increases education grants.

* Increasing after-school opportunities - Children need safe, drug-free environments to learn the skills for success. Therefore, Congresswoman Sánchez has been actively working to secure federal funding for support services, libraries, and after-school programs throughout the district. Congresswoman Sánchez has secured $575,000 for two library learning villages (an after-school tutoring program), $200,000 for two Community Learning Resource Centers, and $160,000 for after-school recreation programs in the 39th District.

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