Thank you for the opportunity to address this committee and the students, faculty, and friends of the E. E. Waddell High School to discuss the ways in which the U.S. Department of Education is committed to fostering innovation in education.

I think in our country we have to overcome the notion of the, again, the agrarian calendar.

Education is not simply about teaching, learning and graduating. Education is the basis for economic prosperity.

It is no secret that to keep up with the demands of a global economy, every student must graduate high school with college- and career-ready skills.

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will come to order.

Thank you.

I think growing your own teachers in rural areas is critical, and I think we have also seen that in the medical field, as well.

I think we have got to be sure that these rural areas in North Carolina have access to broadband technology.

This is a challenge that must be addressed immediately and for all students and for all workers.

Education is even a nationally security issue--an informed global citizen is much more able to interpret and contextualize global events.

I am thrilled to be in the U.S. Senate.

It is important that you all really totally fund our Title I and our IDEA programs.

I think one of the tragedies in our public school district and the public school system is that we have so many of our children who come to school so ill prepared to enter school.

Thank you, Senator Hagan for your leadership, and holding this hearing in a State that has been dedicated to innovation since well before the Wright Brothers' first flight on North Carolina's coast.

How do we recruit the teachers to go into these fields and teach?

I think that STEM education is critical.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am tempted to say, so much to say, so little time. I was going to ask my colleague to yield so she could clarify to me her comment that we are cutting the deficit. You know, this is…

Mr. Speaker, my colleague mentioned that this bill is a bill that's important because it creates jobs. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle, along with the President, have done such a poor job of creating jobs in the past with all…