President Obama delivered remarks on his proposals for education this morning at the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s annual Legislative Conference. As reported by the Washington Post, President Obama offered some additional information on the education budget for the 2010 fiscal year. He touched on the five “pillars” of reform for the nation’s education system and on the importance of increasing high school retention rates and attaining a college degree. President Obama underscored the need to invest in education as “The future belongs to the nation that best educates its citizens.”
Regarding higher education proposals, President Obama stated. “Now, the fifth part of America's education strategy is providing every American with a quality higher education whether it's college or technical training. Never has a college degree been more important. Never has it been more expensive. And at a time when so many of our families are bearing enormous economic burdens, the rising cost of tuition threatens to shatter dreams. And that's why we will simplify federal college assistance forms so it doesn't take a Ph.D to apply for financial aid.”
President Obama further discussed the Pell Grant increases contained in his budget proposal to Congress that call for an annual increase to adjust for inflation and a plan to provide a $2,500-a-year tuition tax credit for students from working families. “To help pay for all of this, we're putting students ahead of lenders by eliminating wasteful student loan subsidies that cost taxpayers billions each year,” he stated.
In advance of the speech, the Administration issued a fact sheet on the President’s education policy proposals entitled, “Expanding the Promise of Education in America.” It includes talking points on the ideas for early education, K-12, higher education and proposals for driving innovation and expanding excellence. On higher education, the fact sheet touches on increasing college access, expanding federal aid and simplifying the financial aid process. It also mentions providing additional funding for Pell Grants and providing an annual increase to account for inflation and the proposal to end student loan subsidies to private student loan companies.
A copy of the fact sheet is available in the expanded version of today’s Daily Briefing. Additional articles from The Washington Post and USA Today are included in the expanded version of today’s Daily Briefing. A transcript of his speech is also attached, along with a press release from Education and Labor Ranking Member Howard “Buck” McKeon.
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