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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APRIL 15, 2002 Baca requests funds for important Inland Empire education programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Joe Baca (D-Rialto) testified today before the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Labor and Health and Human Services Appropriations to request funds for important Inland Empire education projects. "I want to bring to the Committee's attention the unprecedented population growth in my region," Baca said. "But, growth in the Inland Empire can no longer be limited to population or the economy, but must also be represented in the quality of education we provide our youth." Baca sought $2.5 million from the Subcommittee for the San Bernardino County Unified School District's Virtual High Tech High School program. The money would help the program expand the number of students it serves by allowing 10th graders to participate alongside 11th and 12 graders, and would aid in purchasing equipment and other items essential to the continued success of the program. "Students benefit from a curriculum that focuses on technology and business," Baca said. "We must break the cycle of low achievement and low-skill jobs that we are seeing in our young people, and focus on programs that equip students to meet the demands of the 21st century." Baca also requested $350,000 million for the San Bernardino City Unified School District and San Bernardino Valley College Middle College High School program. The program offers high school students who are not meeting their full potential an opportunity to earn an associate of arts degree from San Bernardino Valley College and a high school diploma at the same time. Baca requested funds to help the District and College construct a new tutorial center to house the growing number of area students enrolled in Middle College High School. Last year, 77 percent of the high school students in the program raised their grade point averages. "This program, which pulls in students from my area and from Congressman Lewis' area, is essential to building self esteem, confidence, and an 'I can' attitude," Baca said. Baca requested $2 million in federal funds for the City School District's English Language Development and Academic Skills Program. The Program assists non-English speaking students and parents with learning English, developing study habits, and communicating with teachers. "When I went to grade school, I was placed in slow developers' classes simply because I had limited English," Baca said. "Students who have to overcome language barriers to be successful must be given the help they need from us to develop English proficiency." Among his other requests, Baca asked the subcommittee to assist in funding the Hispanic Border Leadership Institute at the University of California - Riverside, which places the attention of eight colleges and universities in the Southwest on improving education along the border with Mexico, a traditionally poor and under represented region. "I will be following up with specific funding requests for these and other projects that will serve the people I represent," Baca said. "It is my duty as their elected representative to Congress to seek those federal funds that will benefit the communities in which they live." # # # |
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