Ted Kennedy on Education

"If our nation is to succeed in this global economy, our students, teachers, schools, and families need real support--not broken promises--to help them achieve their maximum potential." - Senator Edward M. Kennedy

 Senator Kennedy’s commitment to the middle class is fostered by the belief that education and training starts at a young age, and all young people deserve adequate educational resources in order to learn and succeed. Putting aside party politics, Kennedy worked closely with President Bush to enact the No Child Left Behind Act, which sought to close the gap between privileged and the underprivileged, minority and non-minority children in public schools. After it became law and it was clear that the Bush administration was attempting to undercut the program by cutting off necessary funding, Kennedy was ready to fight back for the bipartisan act to make sure the required funding was allotted to ensure the Act would be successful.

Senator Kennedy with studentsThrough Kennedy's efforts, the Head Start Program was formed, which provides early-learning to low-income and at-risk youth, and he has worked tirelessly to improve the program with better-trained teachers and more streamlined functionality throughout his years in the Senate. Kennedy also helped to establish the National Teachers Corps, which helps young students become teachers through economic assistance and the promise of those students working in underprivileged areas upon receiving their teaching certificates. Kennedy also championed efforts to improve the educational opportunities made available to children with disabilities through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

On the level of higher education, Kennedy helped college students pay for school by making it easier for them to access loan aid. College loan lenders are now unable to jack up interest rates on monthly payments that students must make, which drive students into debt as soon as they graduate and join the workforce. Loans are forgiven after 10 years if the individual serves in a variety of public service careers: such as police officer, firefighter, schoolteacher, or health care worker. The Teach Excellence for All Children Act of 2005 (TEACH) provides loan assistance to and tuition assistance for college students in the process of becoming teachers.

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