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Education

Public schools play an important role in Oregon and across the country, and strengthening public education and improving access to higher education will grow our economy and benefit our communities. It was an honor to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass the Every Student Succeeds Act, which replaces No Child Left Behind (NCLB). The Every Student Succeeds Act will reduce high-stakes testing—which narrowed curriculum and stifled teaching and learning—and facilitate more decision-making at the local and state level. The law includes my commonsense provision to streamline testing in schools so educators can focus more of their time on teaching and helping students learn and thrive. As a member of the select panel of House and Senate members tasked with crafting the final version of the bill, I successfully added language to encourage STEAM, interdisciplinary educational programs that integrate arts and music into science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) courses.
 
I worked my way through community college, college, and law school, so I know how important it is to make higher education available and affordable. I've consistently opposed efforts to cut financial aid for low-income students, and I support robust funding for Pell Grants and legislation to prevent the doubling of Stafford loan interest rates. The growing amount of loan debt and default faced by graduates is a serious problem, and I am working with my colleagues to improve loan counseling, curb rising costs, and make repayment manageable for millions of current loan borrowers.
 
The future of our economy will rely on an educated and innovative workforce to create and fill the jobs of the 21st century. As the founder and co-chair of the Congressional STEAM Caucus, I'm working to ensure that today's K-12 and higher education programs meet our country's future needs, especially in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and design, and math) fields that produce skilled workers and creative thinkers.

 

More on Education

Congresswoman Bonamici Hosts National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Mary Anne Carter for Arts Tour

August 13, 2019 Press Release

BEAVERTON, OR [08/13/19] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) hosted Mary Anne Carter, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), for a series of visits to organizations that are part of Northwest Oregon’s thriving arts community.

Reform coming to Chemawa Indian School in Salem, say Reps. Schrader and Bonamici

August 5, 2019 In The News

After almost two years of stonewalling by Chemawa Indian School officials and the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Reps. Kurt Schrader and Suzanne Bonamici say reform appears to be coming after visiting the Salem school this past week.

Oregon Delegation Pushes to Reverse Cuts to Food Assistance

July 31, 2019 Press Release
We are especially concerned about the number of Oregon children—many of whom receive their only meal of the day at school—who will lose access to free school meals if they are not automatically certified for school meals because of their SNAP participation.

To Chart Improvements At Chemawa, Oregon Congressional Reps Call For Map

July 28, 2019 In The News

Four members of Oregon’s congressional delegation are giving top officials at the Bureau of Indian Affairs a month and a half to provide what might seem simple: a map of federal land at the north end of Salem.

With Google maps and satellite images a keystroke away for anyone with a computer, how hard can it be to provide a map of the Chemawa Indian School?

Bipartisan House group introduces bill to help those with crippling student debt

July 22, 2019 In The News

A bipartisan group on Monday introduced a bill in the House of Representatives to help those with crippling student loan debt avoid default.

House lawmakers introduce bill to help those struggling with student debt

July 22, 2019 In The News

A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation in the House to help those with student loans avoid defaulting on their debt.

Bonamici, Mitchell, Moulton, Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Student Loan Borrowers Avoid Default

July 22, 2019 Press Release
Too many people are struggling to make payments on burdensome student loans even though there are federal programs available to help.

Oregon Reps See Signs Of Slow Progress At Troubled Chemawa Boarding School

July 17, 2019 In The News

Two months after a congressional committee held an emotional, sometimes-combative hearing on Chemawa Indian School, the Oregon representatives leading improvement efforts see few signs of progress.

“The wheels of justice move slowly, but I am committed to staying the course and doing what is right for these Native American students,” said U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Oregon, in a statement Tuesday.

Bonamici, Morelle Demand Answers About Federal Work Study Experiment

July 5, 2019 Press Release
We agree that the Federal Work-Study program is in need of significant reform, but the Department’s proposal will remove statutory guardrails from the program and will allow federal financial aid to flow to private employers without needed transparency.

Bonamici Denounces DeVos Repeal of Key Consumer Protection for Students

June 28, 2019 Press Release
The Trump administration’s decision to rescind the Gainful Employment rule puts students at risk while letting for-profit institutions off the hook for low-quality programs.