Issue Position: Improving Education

Issue Position

Improving Education

The Commonwealth is home to many of the Nation's finest colleges, universities, community colleges and technical schools. Many college-bound students face financial hardship and that's why I have hosted several "paying for college" workshops and am a cosponsor of legislation allowing employers to match 529 college savings plans up to $1000 per year. As a member of the Career and Technical Education Caucus, I am working with my colleagues in Congress to promote the importance of career and technical education in preparing a well-educated and skilled workforce in America.

I supported legislation that would prevent interest rates on new federally subsidized Stafford Loans made to undergraduate students from increasing from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on July 1, 2012. The bill would extend the 3.4 percent rate until July 1, 2013. My wife has been a teacher for over 30 years, so I hear about our education challenges frequently. We must continue to attract top talent to our schools and that's why I support incentives like tax credits for teachers to cover their out-of-pocket classroom expenses. Furthermore, I am working with my Education Advisory Council to ensure that Virginia's schools get the resources and flexibility they need during the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind.

I recognize the importance of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) jobs to our Nation's economy and believe it is vital that our schools focus on these areas.

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