Education
More on Education
July 25, 2018
Press Release
“This bill is about preparing secondary and postsecondary students with the academic and technical skills that are required to be successful in the workforce at a critical time for our economy,” said Courtney. “All across the country there is an exciting and growing need for trade and technical skills to fill jobs that young people can build a career and life around.
July 25, 2018
Press Release
“In a year that has been marked by GOP efforts to roll back federal programs designed to make college more affordable, I am pleased to join my colleagues in introducing our bill that would provide every student with the opportunity to earn a debt-free degree,” said Courtney.
July 18, 2018
Constituent Corner
Meredith Clermont-Ferrand is a professor at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic. Last spring, Meredith contacted my office seeking assistance with FedLoan Servicing, a private company that operates in partnership with the U.S. Dept. of Education. As a professor at ECSU, Meredith is eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program that is designed to reimburse college graduates for student loans if they pursue a career in public service. In addition to working in a public service career, graduates must first make a total of 120 on-time monthly loan payments before qualifying for the PSLF program.
May 22, 2018
Press Release
“Moments ago, I called on Sec. Betsy DeVos to account for misleading comments she made about East Hartford High School a year ago and her refusal to respond to Connecticut officials and students who politely challenged her facts. During her 2017 testimony before the House Appropriations Committee, Sec. DeVos stated that she had heard from a former student, who attended the school 17 years ago, that East Hartford High is ‘nothing more than adult daycare … a dangerous daycare.’"
April 13, 2018
In The News
Washington – The U.S. Department of Education has come to the aid of hundreds of Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute students whose education came to an abrupt end last week when the school shut down without warning.
April 13, 2018
Press Release
“The sudden and stunning decision by Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute to close its campuses last week left Connecticut students with nowhere to turn. That is why I called on the Department to act quickly to provide information and resources for students,” said Courtney.
April 5, 2018
Press Release
“The sudden and stunning decision by Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute to cease operations with no notice to students or staff screams out for action by the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs,” said Courtney. “Many of the students used federal student loans and grant programs to pay tuition, and it is imperative that the Dept. of Ed exercises its statutory authority to protect both taxpayers and the students who put their faith in this school’s promise of a certificate that would provide gainful employment."
February 16, 2018
Press Release
“We need to recognize that there is nothing normal about American’s gun violence crisis,” said Courtney. “When it comes to global statistics, no other developed country even comes close to equaling the United States in terms of raw gun deaths and shooting rampages – the U.S. stands alone."
December 15, 2017
Press Release
“If this effort by the House Republican majority is successful, millions of American families across the country who are preparing to send their children off to college will face higher costs and fewer options for federal aid,” said Courtney. “What the PROSPER Act would do is actually close avenues of affordability for millions of Americans and radically change programs that have been a part of the fabric of our society going back to the 1960s. The Republican’s intended to quietly push this bill through a markup this week, but I joined my colleagues on the committee in sounding the alarm and attempting to undo some of the worst aspects of the bill. Unfortunately, even my bipartisan amendment to restore the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which supports firefighters, police officers, teachers, and other public workers, was defeated."
December 13, 2017
Press Release
“This is another hyper-partisan effort led by the Republican majority that will incredibly make college more expensive and close pathways for young Americans to pursue critical careers that will support our economy,” said Courtney. “If this bill were ever signed into law, it would dismantle programs designed to make college more affordable for middle-class families. One prime example of this is a provision in the bill to close-down the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that has supported students entering critical professions since its inception 10 years ago. The program allows public service workers such as teachers, police officers, rural doctors, and others to have their student loan debt forgiven after 10 years of work in their occupation. I offered a bipartisan amendment during the committee proceedings to save the PSLF program and expand it to include farmers and veteran service organizations. That effort was backed by nearly 200 organizations such as the National Fraternal Order of Police, National Young Farmers Collation, and the American Legion. Unfortunately, even with the votes of several Republican members of the committee, the amendment ultimately failed by a vote of 19-20."