Meeks Tackles Education IssuesPart I

As the summer draws to a close, students nationwide are preparing to head back to school. As I prepare to head back to DC during the next few weeks, I would like to update my constituents about the changes that Congress has made with regard to educational reform. The issues I will address include early childhood education/head start, elementary and secondary education, and higher education.

During the earlier part of this year, bad decisions were made with regard to educational reform. Legislation has been passed that dismantles Head Start, underfunds reading, math, and after-school programs, and denies opportunity to many that wish to attend college.

Instead of expanding the groundbreaking Head Start program to include more children, Congress has cut off enrollment and eliminated the programs high standards. During the coming weeks, I hope to demonstrate to my constituents the importance of increasing funding for this program that provides access to several social and educational services to families in my district.

Unfortunately, this year, more than 2 million children will not receive help with the basics of reading and math and more than one million children will not have access to after-school programs. I will discuss the importance of investing in educational reform in order to make sure that all students are given the chance to succeed.

In the face of skyrocketing college tuitions, Congress has also voted to freeze federal Pell Grants at last years level, rather than providing students with reasonable means to pay for a college education. I will discuss the need to provide equitable educational opportunities to all people, especially those who are unable to afford an education without government assistance.

Today, more than 47 million children attend failing public schools. Within the coming weeks, I will discuss some of the many steps, such as improving teacher training, demanding that all students make progress, providing after-school centers, expanding early childhood education, involving parents, and providing adequate college aid, that will truly improve education. I hope that you will join me in this fight and begin a dialogue with me on this very important issue.

Should you need to contact me about this or any other issue, please feel free to do so at 718.949.5600.