Press Releases
Currently showing results related to K-12 Education
ICYMI: Ranking Member Scott Leads Opposition to Politics Over Participation Act
04.20.23 WASHINGTON - House Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following remarks during yesterday’s floor debate on H.R. 735, the Politics Over Participation Act. View Ranking Member Scott’s floor remarks on YouTube. “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. “Mr. Chairman, this bill is a mean-spirited attack on transgender women and girls’ participation in sports. “It essentially requires women and girls to ‘prove their gender.’ In Kansas, where a sim… Continue Reading
What People Are *Actually* Saying About H.R. 734, the “Politics Over Participation Act”
04.19.23 WASHINGTON - Today, the House of Representatives will consider extreme Republican legislation that bans transgender women and girls in school sports and makes school sports less fair and less safe for all students. Athletes, advocates, and experts agree that politicians in Washington should be addressing the most pressing issues facing students and parents—not targeting transgender student athletes and endangering women and girls in school athletics. Here is what they are saying about Republican… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Applauds Biden Administration for Prioritizing Safety and Fairness in School Sports
04.06.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Department of Education released a proposed rule to update Title IX regulations regarding participation in school athletics programs. Specifically, the proposed rule would prohibit schools and athletics programs from adopting or applying one-size-fits-all policies that categorically ban transgender students from participating in school sports activities consistent with their gender identity. “… Continue Reading
Despite Internal Opposition, Republicans Force Through Anti-Student, Parent, and Educator Legislation
03.24.23 WASHINGTON - Today, House Republicans advanced the Politics Over Parents Act (H.R. 5) despite opposition from parents, students, educators, and members of their own party. Moreover, Republicans unilaterally rejected the Democratic alternative offered by ECESE Subcommittee Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01). The Democrats’ alternative would have: Prevented schools from banning books; Created a designated parent coordinator at every public school; Increased funding for statewide family… Continue Reading
WATCH: Ranking Member Scott Leads Fight Against Anti-Student, Parent, Educator Legislation
03.23.23 WASHINGTON - Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following remarks during today’s floor debate on H.R. 5, the Politics Over Parents Act. View Ranking Member Scott’s floor remarks on YouTube. "First, let me be clear: House Democrats believe parental engagement is central to student success. Parental engagement in schools is closely linked to better student behavior, higher academic achievement, and enhanced social skills. "Unfor… Continue Reading
What People Are *Actually* Saying About Extreme MAGA Republicans’ “Politics over Parents” Bill (H.R. 5)
03.22.23 WASHINGTON - Today, the House of Representatives will consider Republican legislation that would undermine public education under the guise of 'parental rights.' Experts and advocates for students, parents, and teachers agree that this proposal would only further politicize classrooms and jeapordize support for public education while doing nothing to increase real parental partnership with schools. Here’s what they are saying about Republicans’ so-called Parents Bill of Rights Act: Secretary of… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott: Biden Budget is a Roadmap to a Stronger America
03.10.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after President Biden released his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2024. “The Biden-Harris Fiscal Year 2024 budget proposal is a clear roadmap to a stronger America. It calls for transformational investments that would grow our economy and improve the lives of students, workers, and families across the country. “The proposed budget would take significant steps to ensure every student has access to hig… Continue Reading
Under the Cloak of Darkness, Republicans Force Through Anti-Student, Parent, and Educator Legislation
03.09.23 WASHINGTON - Democrats showed up for work today and introduced legislation to meet the real challenges facing students, parents, and educators. Committee Republicans played political games and voted against 25+ good-faith efforts to help students succeed. “We all agree that parental engagement is essential for student success, and that Congress has a role in promoting students’ participation in sports. Unfortunately, neither of the bills before us today addresses the real challenges facing… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott: “Politics Should Never Prevent a Student from Receiving a High-Quality Education”
03.01.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement in response to recent House Republican proposal to undermine public K-12 schools under the guise of parents’ rights. “Politics should never prevent a student from receiving a high-quality education. Regrettably, Republican politicians want to turn classrooms into the epicenter of an extreme culture war while doing nothing to meaningfully help students get back on track. In fact, every Congressional Repu… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Opening Statement at Education Hearing
02.08.23 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing on the state of education. “When the Supreme Court decided the Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954, it outlawed legal segregation in education, and said - among other things - that, ‘In these days, it is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if denied the opportunity of an education. Such an opportunity, where the state has undertaken… Continue Reading
NEW: Government Watchdog Report Finds Unequal Enforcement of Dress Codes May Make Schools Less Safe for Students
10.25.22 WASHINGTON - A new report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealedthat discriminatory enforcement of school dress codes may make school environments less equitable and safe for students and lead to harmful discipline practices. Specifically, the GAO report found that dress codes typically restrict items most frequently worn by girls, students of color, and LGBTQI+ students. As a result, schools remove these students from the classroom at significantly higher rates compa… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Reacts to 2022 National “Report Card”
10.24.22 WASHINGTON - House Education and Labor Committee Chair Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) issued the following statement after the National Center for Education Statistics released the results of the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Mathematics and Reading Assessments. The 2022 NAEP found significant declines in math and reading scores for grades 4 and 8 compared to 2019. In math, average score declines were historic, and achievement gaps widened for our most vulnerable studen… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Urges Passage of Mental Health Matters Act
09.29.22 WASHINGTON - Today, House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) submitted the following remarks in support of H.R. 7780, the Mental Health Matters Act, into the Congressional Record. “I rise today in strong support of the Mental Health Matters Act, led by the gentleman from California, Mr. DeSaulnier. “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the mental health crisis among students, workers, and families. “In 2021, over 44 percent of students experienced persis… Continue Reading
Chairman Sablan Opening Statement at “Back to School” Hearing
09.20.22 WASHINGTON - Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Chairman Gregorio Sablan (NMI-At Large) delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing, “Back to School: Meeting Students Social and Emotional Needs.” “As students across the country return to the classroom for the 2022-2023 school year, the Committee is meeting today to discuss how our nation’s schools are helping students get back on track academically and meet their social and emotional needs. “The … Continue Reading
Chairs Scott, Murray Applaud Release of New Guidance on School Discipline
07.19.22 WASHINGTON - Today, the Department of Education released new guidance for states and school districts to help school leaders address disparities in discipline for students with disabilities. In 2018, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that students with disabilities, along with Black students and boys, face disproportionate rates of discipline when compared to their peers. “The guidance the Biden administration issued today will help schools keep students and staff safe. Regre… Continue Reading
New Government Watchdog Report Finds Growing Racial Segregation in Schools
07.14.22 WASHINGTON - Today, Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott released a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which found persistent and growing racial and socioeconomic segregation in K-12 public schools. Specifically, the GAO found that, in the 2020-2021 school year, more than one in three public school students attended a school where 75 percent or more of the student population were of a single race or ethnicity. Even more concerning, the report found that district secession—a… Continue Reading
ICYMI: On 50th Anniversary of Title IX, Chairman Scott Delivers Remarks at Unveiling of Portrait of Former Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink
06.23.22 WASHINGTON - Today, Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following remarks during a ceremony to unveil the portrait of former Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink in Statuary Hall. View more photos from the event here. “Congresswoman Patsy Mink has an unquestionable place among the portraits of this institution’s trailblazers. As you know, Congresswoman Mink became the first Asian-American woman, in fact, the first woman of color to serve in Congress at a time when the country was n… Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Applauds New Proposed Changes to Title IX Rules
06.23.22 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Department of Education released new proposed Title IX regulations. “The Education Department’s new proposed Title IX regulations mark a monumental step in our fight to address sexual harassment, assault, and discrimination in K-12 and higher education—all while preserving the rights of the accused. By expanding the critical protections under this law, the new regulations would help ensure that … Continue Reading
What People Are Saying: Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022
06.23.22 WASHINGTON — On June 21, House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Ranking Member Virginia Foxx (NC-05), along with Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR), announced an agreement to help school and summer providers keep kids fed. The Keep Kids Fed Act (H.R. 8150) will provide important funding and flexibility for communities to provide children healthy meals this summer and provide … Continue Reading
Chairman Scott Statement on Carson v. Makin SCOTUS Decision
06.21.22 WASHINGTON - Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Carson v. Makin. Maine offers a tuition assistance program to parents in areas of the state where public secondary schools are not available contingent upon private schools meeting certain criteria, including that the education be ‘nonsectarian.’ However, in today’s decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Maine must also allow religious schools access the publicall… Continue Reading