Increasing Access and Opportunity for Education
Congressman
Tom Cole
Tom Cole
April 03, 2006
The House last week worked on the College Access & Opportunity Act (H.R. 609), that makes key reforms to protect the interests of students and parents - and the pocketbooks of American taxpayers. Below are some of the key reforms addressed in this legislation.
Increasing competitiveness. The College Access & Opportunity Act, includes several reforms to strengthen math, science, and critical foreign language education to enhance American competitiveness. Specifically, H.R. 609 provides scholarships to students pursuing a baccalaureate, masters or doctoral degree in science, math or engineering. It provides student loan relief for individuals with degrees in science or math who serve as teachers or other professionals in those fields. It would also provide states with grants to better coordinate and implement reforms that improve math and science education, as well as better teacher recruitment and training.
Creating opportunity. This legislation strengthens Pell Grants and student aid, reduces red tape for students and graduates and removes barriers for non-traditional students. The bill will reauthorize and strengthen federal college access programs for low- and middle-income students, including TRIO and GEAR UP. As a member of the Rules Committee, I worked to eliminate a provision of the bill that would have hurt TRIO programs in Oklahoma. The primary purpose of the Federal TRIO programs is to help prepare students from disadvantaged backgrounds for higher education. This legislation removes barriers that prevent home-schooled students from attending college.
Easing college access for members and veterans of the Armed Forces. The legislation ensures the eligibility of all veterans to participate in the TRIO college access programs. The bill also classifies members of the Armed Forces as independent students to help increase access to financial aid.
Increasing public access to information about colleges and universities. The College Access & Opportunity Act would provide parents and students information currently sent to the U.S. Department of Education about college costs, student/faculty ratios, graduation rates, and average amount of financial aid being received by students.
Repealing duplicative, expired and/or unnecessary programs. This legislation will repeal current programs previously authorized under the Higher Education Act that are duplicative or unnecessary.
Establishing an Academic Bill of Rights. The "Academic Bill of Rights" created in this legislation ensures that students are not discriminated against because of their political or ideological perspectives, while also protecting the fundamental rights of institutions to maintain their unique character and identity.
Increasing competitiveness. The College Access & Opportunity Act, includes several reforms to strengthen math, science, and critical foreign language education to enhance American competitiveness. Specifically, H.R. 609 provides scholarships to students pursuing a baccalaureate, masters or doctoral degree in science, math or engineering. It provides student loan relief for individuals with degrees in science or math who serve as teachers or other professionals in those fields. It would also provide states with grants to better coordinate and implement reforms that improve math and science education, as well as better teacher recruitment and training.
Creating opportunity. This legislation strengthens Pell Grants and student aid, reduces red tape for students and graduates and removes barriers for non-traditional students. The bill will reauthorize and strengthen federal college access programs for low- and middle-income students, including TRIO and GEAR UP. As a member of the Rules Committee, I worked to eliminate a provision of the bill that would have hurt TRIO programs in Oklahoma. The primary purpose of the Federal TRIO programs is to help prepare students from disadvantaged backgrounds for higher education. This legislation removes barriers that prevent home-schooled students from attending college.
Easing college access for members and veterans of the Armed Forces. The legislation ensures the eligibility of all veterans to participate in the TRIO college access programs. The bill also classifies members of the Armed Forces as independent students to help increase access to financial aid.
Increasing public access to information about colleges and universities. The College Access & Opportunity Act would provide parents and students information currently sent to the U.S. Department of Education about college costs, student/faculty ratios, graduation rates, and average amount of financial aid being received by students.
Repealing duplicative, expired and/or unnecessary programs. This legislation will repeal current programs previously authorized under the Higher Education Act that are duplicative or unnecessary.
Establishing an Academic Bill of Rights. The "Academic Bill of Rights" created in this legislation ensures that students are not discriminated against because of their political or ideological perspectives, while also protecting the fundamental rights of institutions to maintain their unique character and identity.
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