Education

Rep. Chu speaking to children in a classroom.

Education is a proven pathway for success. As a former educator and school board member in our community, I understand the needs of our schools. We need to fully fund education programs, give our teachers and students the resources they need, ensure our schools are environments for learning, and guarantee equal opportunity for all children.

Early Childhood Education

Investments in early education, when a child’s brain is rapidly developing, can lead to better academic and personal achievement lasting a lifetime. That is why every child and family must have access to quality childcare and early education. Through investments in programs like Head Start and by taking new steps to offer affordable childcare to families of all income levels, we can ensure that every child starts life on a level playing field with equal chances for a healthy, successful life.

K-12 Education

A child’s zip code should never determine the quality of their education. That is why I am committed to increasing federal investment in our public schools to guarantee equitable opportunities for every student. That means investing in school infrastructure to ensure that students are learning in safe and updated classrooms, reducing class sizes, training teachers, and fulfilling our promise to students with disabilities. That is why I introduced the Equal Access to Quality Education Act, a bill which will assist low-income schools in recruiting, training, and retaining profession-ready teachers. We also must prepare our students for a 21st century world by expanding science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) opportunities and ensuring access to arts and music education. 

Post-Secondary Education

Colleges and universities are engines of our economy, but the rapidly rising costs of tuition have excluded too many students from attendance. And countless students who do attend find themselves saddled with crushing debt. That is why I believe every student should have access to a debt-free degree. That means increasing investment in financial assistance programs like the Pell Grant, allowing student debt to be refinanced and discharged in bankruptcy, and protecting Public Service Loan Forgiveness and income-based repayment plans. And with more job opportunities requiring an advanced degree, I believe we must also protect access to postgraduate education. My bill, the POST GRAD Act, would help make advanced degrees more affordable by reinstating subsidized loans for graduate students.