Education plan includes a tax credit for college students who perform community service and grants for community colleges.
After nearly two years in control of the U.S. Congress, Democrats claim two major legislative victories: the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, which increased funding for the federal Pell Grant program by millions, and the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, a broad piece of legislation that further extends the federal Pell Grant program and creates many new federal reporting and regulatory requirements dealing with textbooks and tuition.
Under the leadership of presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, Democrats vow to do more to advance their educational agenda. Delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Denver voted to adopt the platform committee’s report titled, “Renewing America’s Promise.”
The platform includes a pledge to create a $4,000 American Opportunity Tax Credit that college students would receive in exchange for community service, and a simplification of the financial aid process.
The platform also highlights a renewed commitment to the nation’s community colleges and minority-serving institutions. “At community colleges, we will invest in short-term accelerated training and technical certification for the unemployed and underemployed to speed their transition to careers in high-demand fields and emerging industries. We will reward successful community colleges with grants so they can continue their good work,” the report states, adding that Democrats would work to ensure the “viability and growth” of MSIs.
Throughout his campaign, Obama has touted a laundry list of educational reforms, ranging from increased access to Advanced Placement courses to expanding summer school programs; and Obama’s plan for the future of the nation’s education system is aligned with his party’s platform.
Dr. Catherine Lugg, an associate professor of education at Rutgers Graduate School of Education, has been critical of both the Democratic education platform and that of the Republicans.
