U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Delivers on Education Investments
Baldwin Works to Make College More Affordable, Invest in Career and Technical Education, Support School Safety
Bipartisan funding legislation passes the Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week the Senate passed a bipartisan Fiscal Year 2019 funding package that includes a number of priorities of U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin that invest in Wisconsin’s students, strengthen career and technical education, improve technology in the classroom and help more students afford higher education.
“I’ve heard firsthand from students in Wisconsin and it’s clear that we need to do more to support career and technical education, and make sure all students have access to affordable higher education,” said Senator Baldwin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “I’m proud to work across party lines to secure funding for these important priorities that will support Wisconsin students pursuing their education or looking to gain the skills they need to compete in the workforce and help grow our Made in Wisconsin economy.”
The bipartisan appropriations package, which includes the FY19 Department of Defense funding bill and the FY19 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies funding bill, is expected to be voted on in the House next week before going to President Trump for his signature.
Funding for Career and Technical Education
The bill provides $1.263 billion for Perkins CTE state grants, a $70 million increase over the FY18 funding level.
Earlier this year, Senator Baldwin, co-chair of the Senate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, applauded the reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins CTE Act that will help give students access to the highest-quality CTE programs and provides critical resources to strengthen career pathways for students, close the skills gap, enhance the recruitment of highly-qualified CTE instructors and meet the workforce readiness needs of tomorrow.
Investments to Help More Students Afford Higher Education
The bill increases our nation’s investment in helping low-income students access college, providing $22.5 billion in discretionary spending for the Pell Grant program and raising the maximum award for the 2019-2020 award year to $6,195, a $100 increase over the current academic year. The maximum award increase builds on the $175 increase provided in FY18 and reinstatement of year-round or summer Pell grants in FY18.
The bill also provides $1.06 billion for Federal TRIO Programs, an increase of $50 million over FY18. TRIO programs help identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds as they explore and pursue a higher education.
Senator Baldwin urged her colleagues to provide strong funding for these programs, which assist students who are low-income, have disabilities or are first in their families to attend college.
Funding for Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants
The bill provides $1.170 billion, an increase of $70 million more than last year, for the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant program under Title IV-A of the Every Student Succeeds Act. This formula grant program provides flexible funding to school districts for use on school safety efforts, including hiring school counselors; supporting a well-rounded education; and investing in education technology.
Senator Baldwin urged her colleagues to include funding for the program in order to provide schools with the resources they need to help their students be safe and healthy, as well as cope with the trauma associated with gun violence or the opioid epidemic in their communities. For the second year in a row, the President’s budget proposed eliminating the program.
