Testifying at the Capitol

Virginia teacher urges Congress to strengthen economy by investing in education

NEA welcomes President Obama’s renewed national attention on education

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Miguel A. Gonzalez
March 24, 2009 (202) 822-7823, mgonzalez@nea.org

WASHINGTON—Jaim Foster, a second-grade teacher from Parklawn Elementary School in Alexandria, Va., today urged Congress to strengthen the economy by investing in education. Foster, a member of the National Education Association and Virginia Education Association, joined Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in urging Congress to act quickly to pass President Barack Obama’s budget.

President Obama’s budget outline calls for timely investments in quality public education—from preschool through higher education—to move toward the goal of great public schools for every student and prepare students to compete in a global economy.

“It’s reassuring that President Obama is once again making education a national priority and focusing valuable resources on education,” said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. “Investing in quality public schools will see the greatest return on taxpayer money, and strengthen the entire economy.”

President Obama has requested that Congress invest in early childhood education and prepare students at a very early age. He says funding for the Early Head Start program should be doubled, and Head Start should be expanded.

“As a second-grade teacher, I personally know the importance of students coming to school ready to learn,” said Foster. “President Obama’s vision for early childhood education is ambitious and welcome. This is one of the best investments our country can make and a commonsense approach we can’t afford to pass up.”

President Obama has also called on Congress to expand Pell Grants, college grants for the neediest students. All Americans should be able to afford higher education, the president said, and the country must triple the number of graduate fellowships in science to help spur innovation by up-and-coming researchers.

“The president’s budget will transform public education and prepare students to compete in a global economy,” said Foster. “His budget reflects a renewed commitment to protecting the basic right of every student to attend a quality public school.”

NEA members also support the president’s proposal to reform health care by allocating more than $630 billion over the next 10 years to the task. It’s an issue that hits home with all Americans, Foster said, including NEA’s 3.2 million members who want health coverage not just for themselves but for their students.

“When school nurses become primary care providers, as what happens all too frequently today, we’re well past the time for health care reform,” said Foster. “Students can’t learn unless they come to school healthy.

We urge Congress to act quickly to pass President Obama’s budget, because investing in schools is good economic