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  • Protecting and Investing in Education
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The People's Platform

Protecting and Investing in Education

Education is the cornerstone of life and is one of the greatest investments a nation can make.

Senator Mike Rounds is the sponsor of the bill to dismantle the Department of Education. Dismantling the Department of Education threatens rural schools, students with special needs, after school programing, Pell Grants, career and technical education, and countless opportunities that help young people succeed. Title I funding for schools in places like Pine Ridge and Winner and every rural district that does not have a wealthy tax base to fall back on would be put in crisis. This does not make our government more efficient, it cuts kid’s futures.

Like many families in South Dakota, my wife and I relied on Pell Grants for an opportunity at higher education. Pell Grants are the difference between higher education being possible or impossible for too many South Dakota families. Reducing them closes a door that was already barely open.

In South Dakota, we have a real teacher shortage connected to housing costs, wages, and the long devaluing of the profession from our representation. Federal education policy has a role to play in it all.

Education should be America's competitive advantage.

My father was an educator and I know that protecting education means defending opportunity. Every child in South Dakota deserves the same shot regardless of where they live. That is a value this campaign will always fight for in Washington.

Key Points: 

  • Protect and invest in The Department of Education.

  • Fight for Student Loan Forgiveness.

  • Increasing Pell Grant Access.

  • Create Funding for programs that prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow.