Priming the Future: Education Policy Affects Grade School to College

Do you worry about paying for college tuition -- either yours or your children’s? How do changes in postsecondary education affect primary and secondary education? What are the different philosophies of education in our government today?

House Republicans are expected to pass the College Access and Opportunity Act, a bill that would reauthorize the Higher Education Act of 1965.

Republicans say the bill would help more low and middle-income students afford college by authorizing an increase to the maximum Pell grant, making it $6000.

Looking at Pell Grants

Pell grants are ideal for lower-income students because, unlike student loans, they don’t have to be repaid.

But since Pell grants are subject to Congress’ redistribution of funds, or, the appropriations process, Pell grants have been funded below their authorized levels in recent years. Therefore, an increase to a Pell grant authorization doesn’t necessarily mean more money for students.

Democrats say

Democrats are expected to vote against the bill because they believe it does little to help struggling students afford college. Democrats would much prefer to rewrite student loan programs, making them more affordable to all students and families by lowering the interest rates charged when the loan is repaid.

Democrats have proposed to chop interest rates in half. Federally-subsidized student loans currently have a 5.3 percent variable interest rate. On July 1, 2006, these loans will carry a fixed 6.8 percent rate. Democrats’ legislation would cut these rates to 3.4 percent.

For more on Democrats’ and Republicans’ views on education, click here.

Why student loan costs matter

The sponsors of the interest rate cut, Democratic Representatives George Miller (Calif.) and Richard J. Durbin (Ill.), say that students with loans are compelled to choose the most lucrative careers in order to pay their debt. Therefore, they avoid careers in teaching and public service. The best and brightest can’t always afford to work in education and government, Durbin says.

Here we see a direct connection between postsecondary education policy and primary and secondary education quality. If college graduates can’t afford to become public-school teachers, elementary and high schools suffer.

Before college

At least 27 percent of U.S. schools are failing in terms of President Bush's No Child Left Behind law, according to preliminary state-by-state statistics reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

This means that more than a quarter of schools have failed to improve test scores in reading and math, with test scores being the main gauge of success.

However, tests and standards are not equal in all states, so some say it’s hard to decipher how schools are really doing.

States can adjust the formulas by which they measure "adequate yearly progress," so those in public policy find it difficult to determine if No Child Left Behind is helping or hurting.

But one thing is for sure. The policy’s testing requirement encourages schools to focus on reading and math, often at the expense of other subjects like social studies and music.

In some schools, less-proficient students are required to spend all of their time on reading and math lessons with a short break for gym. Systematically cutting science, art, and history makes for less educated students, but better test takers, some say. And the lack of variety in the curriculum may make it difficult for students to excel in college if they reach it, critics add.

For more on the No Child Left Behind Act, click here.

What do you think?

We see that primary education is linked to higher education through policy and priorities. And American children’s education greatly determines the nation’s future success. In countries like China and India, education has become a top priority because those governments understand the link between education and economic success. Do you think education is a top priority here in the United States? What ideas do you have for improving education? Do your representatives know what you think?

Your input matters

Your representatives DO care what you think. Especially now -- 2006 is an election year and many representatives will be looking to reconnect with their constituents. Let your congressmen and women know what you think! Give your senators a piece of your mind! To find your reps, click here.

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Posted on: 4/24/2006