Education is the Foundation of Our Future

 

As a proud Democrat and staunch supporter of President Joe Biden, Khary Penebaker is dedicated to advancing educational opportunities for all. With a background as a father of three school-age children and an alumnus of Marquette University High School and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Khary understands the district’s educational needs intimately. He is committed to ensuring that every child has access to quality education and that college costs are manageable for all families.

Biden’s Commitment to Education

President Joe Biden has prioritized education as a cornerstone of his administration, reflecting the values of the Democratic Party. His policies focus on expanding access to high-quality education, supporting educators, and making higher education affordable. Key elements of Biden’s education policy include:

• Universal Pre-K: Expanding access to free, high-quality preschool for all three- and four-year-olds, setting a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
• K-12 Education Investment: Increasing funding for K-12 schools, particularly in low-income districts, to ensure all students have the resources they need to succeed.
• Teacher Support: Raising teacher salaries, providing professional development opportunities, and ensuring teachers have the support they need to deliver a high-quality education.
• Community Schools: Investing in community schools that provide comprehensive support services to students and families, including health care, mentoring, and after-school programs.

Democratic Party’s Education Policy

The Democratic Party’s education policy aligns with Biden’s vision, emphasizing equal access to education and addressing systemic inequalities. The party’s key priorities include:

• Closing Achievement Gaps: Implementing policies to close the achievement gaps between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
• School Modernization: Investing in school infrastructure to ensure safe, modern learning environments.
• Inclusive Education: Promoting inclusive education practices that accommodate students with disabilities and special needs.
• Higher Education Accessibility: Expanding access to community colleges and trade schools, and ensuring that higher education is affordable and accessible to all students.

Student Loan Debt Reform

A critical component of both Biden’s and the Democratic Party’s education policy is addressing the student loan debt crisis. The proposed reforms aim to alleviate the burden of student debt and make higher education more affordable:

• Interest Rate Reduction: Ensuring that federal student loan interest rates are no higher than those offered to banks, and allowing current students to refinance their existing loans at lower rates.
• Loan Forgiveness: Expanding student loan forgiveness programs for public service workers and those in high-need areas.
• Pell Grants: Doubling the maximum value of Pell Grants to help low- and middle-income students cover more of their college costs.
• Free Community College: Providing two years of free community college to all students, helping them achieve their educational goals without accumulating significant debt.

Student Loan Debt Relief Achievements

President Biden has already made significant strides in addressing the student loan debt crisis:

• American Rescue Plan: Helped 2 million borrowers by forgiving $10 billion in student loan debt. Read more
• Student Loan Forgiveness Act: Assisted 1.5 million borrowers, forgiving $7.5 billion in debt. Read more
• Executive Order 14028: Helped 1 million borrowers with $5 billion in debt forgiveness. Read more

Khary Penebaker’s Vision for Education

With Khary Penebaker as your Representative, families in this district will finally have a leader who understands the challenges of preparing a child for college firsthand. Khary is committed to:

• Achieving College-Ready Standards: Ensuring our schools bring all children to a college-ready standard.
• Making College Affordable: Working to make college costs manageable for anyone who wants their children to have a better life.
• Supporting Smart Growth: Advocating for education systems that are strong and agile, moving from the typewriter to the tablet, to prepare our children for a dynamic economic marketplace.

Common Sense Student Loan Interest Rates

Khary believes that the federal government should not charge students higher interest rates on loans than those charged to banks. He supports allowing current students to refinance their existing student loans at lower rates to reduce their financial burden.

Job Fair Portal

To help new graduates get ahead of their student loan debt, Khary advocates for a complete overhaul of government job-search resources. This new portal will connect college and technical school graduates with prospective employers and job opportunities, enabling them to begin building their futures immediately.

By aligning with Biden’s and the Democratic Party’s comprehensive education policies, Khary Penebaker is dedicated to creating an education system that supports every student’s success and ensures that higher education is within reach for all.