Post by bot on Jul 28, 2014 14:08:49 GMT -5
Hoyer, Schock Op-Ed: A Bipartisan Argument for Full-Service Community Schools
Wanted to be sure you saw this op-ed by House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) and Rep. Aaron Schock (IL-18) in Education Week on their bipartisan legislation, the Full-Service Community Schools Act of 2014, which they introduced last week to expand the number of full-service community schools at the K-12 level around the country. To read the op-ed, click here or see excerpts below.
A Bipartisan Argument for Full-Service Community Schools
By Steny H. Hoyer & Aaron Schock
Monday, July 28, 2014
“One of the most important jobs Congress has is to ensure that our nation’s children have access to a quality education and the opportunities it brings. A strong education is critically important to secure a place in our middle class. However, we are not doing enough as a country to provide all of our children with the educational foundation they need to succeed. That’s why we joined together last week to introduce the Full-Service Community Schools Act of 2014, bipartisan legislation that would create a competitive-grant program to expand the number of full-service community schools around the country.”
“Full-service community schools provide support and resources to children and their families in order to encourage the future success of all students. Too often, students from low-income households don’t have the necessities that are critical to their success in the classroom, including proper nutrition and health care. As we learn more about the links between students’ health and well-being and their performance in reading and math, tackling the interrelated challenges of education, nutrition, and health care has become a top priority.”
“The benefits of full-service community schools are clear: This model results in a more efficient delivery of services and saves money. But, most important, the children served by these schools have a greater chance of closing the achievement gap, succeeding in school, and graduating ready for college or a career, according to numerous studies. Investments in full-service community schools are investments in a competitive workforce. Education for low-income children can help close the achievement gap while yielding dividends in the form of more graduates who will start small businesses and launch new startups as the innovators and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.”
Click here to read the full op-ed.
www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/07/28/37hoyer.h33.html