Pete Stark: “I rise in support of H.R. 1, the Better Education for Students and Teachers Act, which provides for increased funding…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 1, the Better Education for Students and Teachers Act, which provides for increased funding for our nations school system. This bill improves current law by holding our schools accountable for providing quality education, enhancing teacher training and targeting funds to underprivileged students. H.R. 1 makes a strong bipartisan effort to narrow the gap between the academic achievement of poor children and their more advantaged peers. It encourages schools to do a better job of educating our most vulnerable citizens. By helping disadvantaged children read and understand math, it starts them along the path to a better future. By ensuring that low performing schools are provided additional assistance, fewer underprivileged children will be ignored or allowed to be the victims of low expectations. This bill provides accountability in public education. In the process, it makes sure that funding is available for teachers to receive high quality professional development H.R. 1 targets schools that need extra help and also offers additional funds for educating poor children. The bill recognizes that some of our newest citizens may have limited English proficiency and makes sure they are provided the extra help they need. The state based testing system makes sure that we can more strategically direct efforts to improve the performance of children.”