Education
Education is the engine of innovation and technological advancement, providing us with the ability to compete in the 21st century global economy.
To ensure America’s long-term prosperity and security, all of our young people, regardless of their zip code, must have the opportunity for a high-quality, affordable education. Only by enhancing our nation’s education opportunities will we maintain the best educated, most innovative and productive workforce in the world.
With renewed emphasis on education, we can ensure that the next generation of invention, and the great breakthroughs in health care, energy and manufacturing are developed in this country. By investing in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs as well as liberal arts curricula, we can provide a skilled American workforce capable of performing 21st Century jobs.
We have a responsibility to ensure that all of our children graduate high school, college and career ready. In an increasingly globalized world, our graduates will be competing for jobs not just with their neighbors, but with people from around the world. We must insist that states set high standards and goals for student performance and success, and then establish a high-quality, meaningful assessment system.
But education reform spans far beyond emphasizing science and math in college. Early education programs can help foster a love of learning from a young age, and the availability of arts and extracurricular activities will encourage more and more kids to stay in school and achieve these skills.
Right now, manufacturers in the Tenth District and across the country are concerned that an aging workforce and lack of qualified new applicants will hamper their future growth, which is why I introduced the AMERICA Work Act. The bipartisan legislation brings together our manufacturers and educators to train workers with the skills employers are looking for, energizing our economy and filling quality jobs that are available today.
We must lay the foundation for the success by investing in early childhood education. Early education programs help foster a love of learning from a young age, and are critical to providing our children with the strong start they need. Research shows that students who are provided with early education are more likely to read and do math at grade level, graduate from high school and demonstrate improved academic achievement.
More on Education
Since taking office in January, Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Deerfield) has visited six schools in the 10th Congressional District and met with students in other places including his offices in Washington and Lincolnshire.
When asked by students at Learn Charter School at Great Lakes May 3 about educational opportunities, Schneider was quick to point out students from the District attend nearly half of the state’s top 20 high schools.
Senator Mark Kirk struggled physically during his first venture out in public Friday visiting a charter school in North Chicago and he doesn’t speak as clearly as before, but he declared he has made progress thanks to rehabilitation.
Kirk, along with Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider visited the LEARN public charter school in North Chicago Friday, May 3, and all lamented the fact that the sequestration is cutting indiscriminately and they also said the charter school was important for keeping Naval Station Great Lakes open.
Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park) and Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Springfield) made their first joint public appearance in Illinois since Kirk returned full time duty in the Senate in January at a Great Lakes charter school they helped create which is now being hurt by the Sequester.
U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) joined Minority Whip Steny Hoyer at the unveiling of the new Make It In America package, which focuses on strengthening our manufacturing sector and creating jobs. The plan includes Schneider’s bill—the AMERICA Works Act.
Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) took part in the National Education Association’s Read Across America Week at Round Lake’s Early Education Center. Schneider toured the facility, which has offered a wide range of early education programs, and read Rainbow Fish and What’s for Lunch to a several classes of kindergarten students.
The Chicago-based Mikva Challenge has brought 14 civics-minded Illinois high-school students—chosen either through essays or community service—to the nation’s capitol for Inauguration weekend, and today, U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) met with and welcomed the group.
To view photos from the event, please click here.