STEM Education Coalition Statement on the College Affordability Act Introduction

Today, House Education and Labor Chair Bobby Scott (D-VA) introduced the College Affordability Act, a comprehensive proposal to reauthorize the Higher Education Act. James Brown, Executive Director of the STEM Education Coalition, issued the following statement:

“We appreciate today’s introduction of the College Affordability Act as a step forward in the long overdue re-authorization of the Higher Education Act. We look forward to reviewing this new bill in detail and to working with members of both parties to enact thoughtful legislation that will help our students compete for the best jobs in an increasingly technological economy, most of which are in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Our Coalition has long supported expanding the capacity and diversity of the STEM workforce pipeline, including targeted initiatives to promote the inclusion of underrepresented minorities, women, and other high-need populations in STEM fields. We also support robust and sustained investments in preparing and retaining new teachers to be skilled in PK-12 STEM content knowledge so that they can generate strong student learning and excitement about pursuing STEM careers. It is our hope that a wide-ranging higher education reform law will be signed into law in this Congress that will advance these goals and embody a much-needed focus on STEM education.”

See more details on the College Affordability Act here.