Carl Levin - United States Senator for Michigan: Issues - Education

Education

Michigan Agenda

Education is the vital link to Michigan’s future prosperity.

We should address the shortfalls in the No Child Left Behind Act and promote initiatives that are proven to help students learn.

Michigan’s colleges and universities are vital not just to educating Michigan students, but to innovation that will help our state prosper.

Most of us believe education is the key to our country’s future. But we can’t just say that; we have to back our words with action. Since coming to the Senate, I have tried to increase educational opportunities for Michigan families.

In 2001, Congress adopted the No Child Left Behind Act, which was aimed at supporting improvements in schools across the country. But I am concerned about the added burden of testing that the law imposes; about the use of sanctions that stigmatize schools rather than promoting improvement; and about the failure to provide adequate funding to implement the law’s goals. I agree with President Obama and many in Congress who will seek ways to improve the law.

It’s is imperative to expand proven education initiatives. We must think creatively about improving teacher quality, empowering parents, and ensuring that learning standards are competitive globally, while ensuring that schools get the support they need to improve, not just to label them when they have missed academic goals. Proven initiatives include: smaller class sizes, recruitment and retention outreach for the best teachers, professional development to train teachers in the use of technology in the classroom, and after school activities that academically enrich students.

I am a strong believer in Michigan higher education. The state’s great colleges and universities are vital to promoting the technological innovation that will keep our state on the leading edge.

Senator Levin’s Record on Education

Nov. 21, 2011 – Levin says “supercommittee” failure shows need for compromise
In a statement after the co-chairs of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction announce that they have failed to reach agreement by their statutory deadline, Sen. Levin issues a statement renewing his call for balanced deficit reduction that includes revenue as well as spending cuts and says members of Congress must compromise to avoid the devastating automatic cuts that will take effect if there is no bipartisan agreement.
Nov. 10, 2011 – Levin votes to keep Internet free and open
Sen. Levin votes against legislation that would prevent the Federal Communications Commission from implementing “net neutrality” rules that keep the internet open and available for all users.
Aug. 5, 2010 - Sen. Levin fights for funding for health care, teachers
Sen. Levin speaks out in support of legislation that would continue enhanced Medicaid funding to states hard hit by the financial crisis and recession and would provide funding to prevent teacher layoffs.
June 12, 2011 - Sen. Levin delivers Kalamazoo College commencement address
In a commencement address to the Kalamazoo College Class of 2011, Sen. Levin says, "I hope when your cap and gown have been laid aside and you have embarked upon your new lives, that you will look for ways to serve your community, your nation, your planet. The teachers, parents and mentors gathered here today, and the college that now proudly calls you alumni, have given much to bring you to this point. Repay those gifts with a lifetime of doing the extraordinary."