Ehlers: Legislation enhances math and science education, strengthens Pell Grants

      House members voted 221-199 to approve the bill, with Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids, joining with 207 Republicans and 14 Democrats in favor. Ehlers said among the many reasons he supported the legislation is that it will help improve math and science education in the U.S. as part of President Bush’s American Competitiveness Initiative.

      “It creates opportunities for graduate study in math, science and special education that will improve K-12 education,” Ehlers said. “Experts have testified that a lack of faculty to train these high-demand subject areas is contributing to a shortage of teachers at the K-12 level. This bill expands opportunities for graduate study in these subject areas, thereby fortifying the pipeline of highly-qualified teachers.”

      The bill expands loan relief for nurses, educators and other professionals in areas of national need. It establishes loan relief opportunities of up to $5,000 annually for nurses and other professionals. This builds on the loan relief provided by the Deficit Reduction Act, which tripled the amount of loan relief for highly-qualified math, science and special education teachers who commit to teaching in high-needs K-12 schools for five years. The maximum federal loan forgiveness for such teachers increased from $5,000 to $17,500.

      The College Access & Opportunity Act improves the Pell Grant program – funded at an all-time high with a 101 percent increase in funding since Republicans gained the majority in Congress in 1994 – by allowing students to receive Pell aid year-round and repealing the federal rule that needlessly limits the amount of Pell Grant aid a student attending a very low-cost school may receive.

      “The bill strengthens Pell Grants, which allow low-income students to gain access to higher education, by increasing the maximum grant by $200 to $6,000 and by providing extra Pell Grant aid to high-achieving first- and second-year students,” Ehlers said. “Furthermore, the bill simplifies the financial aid process for needy students and families.”

      Ehlers, a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, said that the legislation also includes two initiatives that he championed – a Summit on Environmental Sustainability and a requirement that the National Academy of Sciences conduct a scientifically valid study of the quality of distance education programs as compared to the quality of traditional, campus-based programs. Ehlers said he also worked with local college officials to address concerns they raised about certain administrative provisions in the bill and said he will continue to work on those issues as the legislation moves forward.