Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

For millions of Americans, public education has been the ticket to the American Dream. Yet politicians in Washington and state houses across the country have undermined our schools with devastating budget cuts, leading to larger class sizes and insufficient resources for teachers and students. As a father and as the husband of an elementary school teacher, the fight to ensure every student receives a quality education is personal for Tim. He understands that investment in our schools means investment in our students and our economy, and he has consistently fought to block cuts to our public education system during his time in Congress. Tim supports common-sense charter school accountability legislation and voted for education reform measures that empower states and school districts to close the achievement gap for disadvantaged students.

In Congress, Tim has also worked to bring common-sense wellness practices to our schools. Building on the success in Youngstown and Warren City schools, Tim has introduced legislation to encourage Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in schools, which helps students develop important life skills including conflict resolution, relationship development, and decision-making. In Ohio, these successful programs have resulted in lower truancy rates, fewer behavioral problems, and a safer, healthier learning environment. Tim has also been a leader on school nutrition, introducing legislation that forges partnerships between schools and community organizations to provide healthier food options for our students.

Tim believes we must do more to make higher education accessible to all students. Students at the university, community college, and trade school level face skyrocketing tuition costs, even as access to post-high-school education becomes more and more essential to the jobs of tomorrow. That's why Tim voted to cut and cap federal student loan rates, and cosponsored legislation to help borrowers refinance their student debt at a lower rate. Tim has also been a fierce defender of Pell Grants for low-income students and has fought to block GOP cuts to student financial aid.
Taking action on Education

Tim has consistently voted against legislation that cuts funding to our public schools, including the $800 million cut in the House GOP's Elementary and Secondary Education Reauthorization Act.
In 2011, Tim introduced the Academic, Social and Emotional Learning Act, which supports SEL programs in public schools. Working across the aisle, he was able to secure its inclusion in the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act, which was ultimately signed into law.
Tim sponsored the Salad Bars in Schools Act to help provide the 32 million American children participating in the National School Lunch program with healthier eating options and nutrition education.
To provide borrowers with relief from crippling student debt, Tim cosponsored the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act, which allows Americans with existing student loans to refinance at lower interest rates available to new borrowers.

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