Education

Summary of Position

Education is the single-most important investment a nation can make in its future. Throughout his career in public service, from his time as a local Head Start Commissioner to his current seat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Congressman DeSaulnier has been an advocate for quality education for every student. From preschool to higher education and beyond, Congressman DeSaulnier values a public education, programs to support the "whole child," accessible and affordable college opportunities for any students that wishes to attend, and ensuring that all students gain the skills they need to succeed in the workplace.

By the Numbers

• Children who attend preschool can better socialize, manage stress, solve problems, and have higher job earnings later in life.
• 15.4% of California public school students are living in poverty.
• Outstanding student loan debt in the U.S. exceeds $1.7 trillion with African American college graduates owing $24,720 more in student loans four years after graduation on average than their white peers.
• The Biden-Harris Administration has approved more than $168 billion in student debt relief for 4.76 million Americans since 2021.
• 7.5 million, or 15% of K-12 public school students receive special education services.
• The U.S. has an 87% high school graduation rate, the highest in history.
• Millennials are on track to be the most educated generation in history, with 39% receiving at least a bachelor's degree.

Things to Know

• Only Bay Area member on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce
• Has visited over 70 schools in every school district in our community as part of an Education Listening Tour
• Member of the Career and Technical Education Caucus

Working for You

Spearheaded Creation of Statewide Family Engagement Centers
Research shows that students with involved families are more likely to earn higher grades, attend school regularly, and graduate. Congressman DeSaulnier authored the bipartisan Family Engagement in Education Act with Rep. Glenn ‘GT' Thompson (R-PA), to create the Statewide Family Engagement Center (SFEC) grant program, which helps states and school districts promote family involvement in a student's education. The SFEC grant program was signed into law by President Obama and recently received $20 million in federal funding.
 

Authored Legislation to Support Young Children with Disabilities
While there has been advancement in supports for students with disabilities in elementary and secondary school, early education policy, like support for preschool students, has not kept pace. That's why Congressman DeSaulnier introduced the Funding Early Childhood is the Right IDEA Act, which would restore full funding for education and services for children with disabilities age 0-5.

Sponsored the College Affordability Act
The cost of college is skyrocketing making the possibility of a higher education out of reach for huge swaths of American families. As the ability to go to college becomes increasingly dependent on an individual's socioeconomic status and higher lifetime earnings become more contingent on a college degree, income inequality and wealth disparities in our country only deepen. To address these troubling trends, Congressman DeSaulnier supports the College Affordability Act which would strengthen the Higher Education Act to lower the cost of college, hold colleges accountable for students' success and give a new generation of students the opportunity to graduate on time with the prospect of a successful career.

Leading Legislation to Protect Student Athletes from Concussions
To help protect younger athletes who are at greater risk from sports-related concussions than college or professional athletes, Congressman DeSaulnier introduced the Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act, which requires that schools support all students who have suffered concussions to return to sports and the classroom safely.

Protecting the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
Together with Congressman Sarbanes and Senator Warren, Congressman DeSaulnier introduced the What You Can Do For Your Country Act to protect and improve the PSLF program. This program allows America's public servants to qualify for student loan debt relief after working full-time for 10 years at certain nonprofit organizations or for local, state, or federal government. With the cost of higher education on the rise, PSLF acts as an important incentive for American workers to choose a career in public service. The What You Can Do For Your Country Act would make public service a viable option for more individuals with student debt.

For a downloadable copy of Mark's education work, click here:

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School Districts in California's 11th Congressional District

K-12 Schools

Colleges and Universities